Assam develops 12 new citrus varieties
These varieties are expected to change citrus cultivation scenario in all north eastern states where the Khasi mandarin is grown. Chief scientist at CRS in AAU AC Barbora told TOI that one of these varieties, CRS-4, was already under the all India trials under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AIRCP) in Citrus.
The Khasi mandarin has a higher productivity than the national average of 9-10 tonnes per hectare to begin with and CRS-4 boosts this manifold at as much as 150-175 tonnes per hectare. A single tree bears about 6000 fruits. The state average of the Khasi mandarin in Assam is 15 tonnes/hectare as a tree bears at least 3500 fruits. The only disadvantage of Khasi mandarin is that it is available for only 3-4 months from October to January compared to Nagpur mandarin which is available from almost October to April. "The other properties of this variety that make it much superior to any existing variety are its sweetness, high juice content (75%), extremely acceptable flavour," said Barbora.
Besides oranges, CRS has also given the north east region four varieties of Assam lemon. Barbora said that though they are yet to be released, one of them was very unique and good. It has balanced acidity and unique flavour. It is specifically good for its juice content. The fish eating people in the region are loving it with fish curry in entire north east belt. The variety has lemons of almost double the size of the best available in country. "Very few people know about Assam lemon. Now after the multi-locational trials, we would release it for cultivation in the entire region," said Barbora.
Barbora proudly informed that the AAU had fully solved the problem of declining orange orchards in entire north eastern states where the orchards had been gradually dying due to various reasons. There is a package of practices now in place that can rejuvenate any orchard. This has been made possible under the National Horticultural Mission (NHM) and has revived the dying citrus industry in this part of India.
Source: indiatimes.com
