12th December 2023, Tiruchirappalli
‘Kaveri Kalki’ is an exotic introduction belonging to Karpuravalli (Pisang Awak) type obtained from the Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT. The unique banana variety of ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli is not prone to lodging.
The license for mass multiplication of the variety was transferred to M/s. Shankar Bio-tech, Krishnagiri for faster adoption by the farmers here today.
The plant is dwarf-statured at 2-2.4 meters in height compared to Karpuravalli has 4 meters. Plant stature is robust and sturdy with short leaves and suitable for high-density planting. It needs no propping, so the cultivation cost is reduced by 10 to 15 %. Average bunch with 13- 15 hands and 16-18 fruits per hand having the potential to yield up to 25 kg. It exhibits the shortest duration of 12 months compared with 15 months for Karpuravalli, hence suitable for the annual cropping system. This variety is suitable for cultivation in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Assam, Karnataka, Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands.
Dr. R. Selvarajan, Director, ICAR-NRCB, complemented the developers and the entire team of scientists and urged the TC company to give more attention on following the scientific recommended cultivation practices for the variety and to popularize it. He also said the variety is suitable for making processed products like dehydrated banana, RTS and for the preparation of “Panchamirtham” which is offered to ‘lord Karthikeya’ in palani hills.
Dr. Michael Gomez Selvaraj, Senior Scientist, Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT applauded that institute made efforts to spread their germplasm as a new variety and felt that it will widen the varietal basket for the farmers to adopt climate change.
(Source: ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli)
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