Uniform-sized onions, which fetch a better export price, may some day become a reality in India.
The Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research (DOGR) centre has been conducting tests on onions for size uniformity at 25 locations across the country, preliminary results of which have been encouraging, a scientist engaged in the research said.
DOGR, a premier institute of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), carries out research on onion and garlic. It is located in Rajgurunagar, about 45km from Pune. It has developed several varieties of both the crops in the past two decades.
A team of scientists led by project leader Amar Jeet Gupta of the DOGR has developed nine hybrid onion varieties. Of these, two are exclusively developed to for size uniformity.
Confirming this development, DOGR director Major Singh, said, "This is a breakthrough for us. With this, uniform-sized onions will be a reality in India soon. Preliminary findings of these varieties are excellent. Now, we are hopeful of releasing these varieties in the market by mid-2018. This variety will have a huge demand in the export market."
Commenting on the observations of last five years, Gupta said, "At six testing zones, these varieties have given positive results in bulb size and early maturity period than existing onion varieties."
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
