‘Varada’ disease resistant gingerA high yielding ginger variety with built in resistance to bacterial wilt and other major fungal diseases, has been performing well in farmers’ holding in Western Maharashtra. Developed by the Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Calicut. The new variety ‘Varada’ has done exceedingly well as compared to the local ‘Mahim’ variety and another high yielding variety known as ‘Bhaisa’. Besides its increased output and disease-tolerance, this variety has good fragrance. 60 kg rhizomes are obtained from this variety developed by IISR. The local ‘Mahim’ variety was highly susceptible to the disease, and the yield was also low. It was ‘Varada’ variety that demonstrated its high yield potential and good resistance to the diseases. It yield was two times that of local ‘Mahim’ and one and half times had good fragrance. |