The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) plans to introduce a virus-resistant chilli variety for large-scale cultivation. The Vegetable Crops Division of IIHR has developed the chilli variety after intensive research for eight years, according to an announcement at a webinar on ‘Aatmanirbhar Krishi for Vegetables’ organised by the Mysuru Field Outreach Bureau under the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in November 2020. Some farmers have already taken up the seed production of this variety.
The benefits of disease-resistant varieties of vegetable crops is that they bring down the use of pesticides. The microbial consortia, developed by IIHR, has shown that fertiliser use can be decreased by one-quarter of usage in some of the vegetable crops, i.e., if the farmers use the microbial consortia developed by the institute.
IIHR has developed varieties in solanaceous crops (tomatoes, brinjal, chillies), as well as cucurbits, legumes, etc. It has developed disease-resistant varieties in tomato, with the ‘Arka Rakshak’ variety resistant to three diseases and ‘Arka Abedh’, resistant to four. Tomato-growing regions in 23 states use these varieties.
Till 2020, 96 varieties/hybrids (78 varieties and 18 F1 hybrids) have been developed/released in 25 vegetable crops. Thirty-seven varieties/hybrids are resistant to diseases and seven varieties/hybrids are tolerant to abiotic stresses—low moisture stress and high temperature.
Some Crop Varieties/ Hybrids Developed by IIHR
Tomato Triple disease resistant F1 hybrids (resistant to baceterial wilt (BW), ToLCV, and early blight (EB) can tolerate high temeperature and low moisture stress. Known as Arka Rakshak, it is square round, large (90-100g), deep red, and suitable for both fresh distance marketing and processing.
Chilli Varieties as well as F1 hybrids are resistant to powdery mildew; can tolerate viruses and thrips. F1 hybrids of chillies like Arka Gagan (H30), Arka Tanvi (H45), Arka Saanvi (H19), Arka Yashasvi (H8), etc., are all resistant to chilli leaf curl virus (ChLCV) disease.
Onion Hybrid onion tolerate purple blotch and basal rot and thrips. Two F1 hybrids, i.e., Arka Lalima and Arka Kirthiman have been identified for development in paste in onion along with Arka Kalyan. These varities were found superior for desirable parameters like slice yield, paste yield, total solids, pungency, vitamin C content, etc.
Garden pea Resistant to powdery mildew and rust. Known as Arka Pramodh, seeds are bold, round, sweet, and dark green in colour.
Brinjal It is resistant to bacterial wilt. Known as Arka Neelanchal Shyama, its fruits are round and green with light purple shade.
French bean Resistant to bacterial blight and rust disease, it is known as Arka Sharath. Its pods are crispy and fleshy with no parchment and perfectly round on cross section.
Dolichos, cow pea can tolerate low moisture stress and is known as Arka Krishna. Pods are dark green and are borne in clusters.
Okra (lady’s finger) It is resistant to yellow vein mosaic virus. This hybrid is known as Arka Nikita, and produces dark green, medium, smooth, and tender fruits, which are rich in nutrients.
Watermelon Resistant to downy mildew, powdery mildew, and anthracnose, it is known as Arka Manik. It has angular stem with light green deeply lobed foliage. Fruits are oval with light green rind colour. Flesh is deep crimson with granular texture and pleasant aroma.
Pumpkin Resistant to fruit flies, it has two hybrids—Arka Chandan (round fruit with pressed bottom) and Arka Suryamukhi (round fruit with pressed bottom but with orange red rind colour and white strips).
Amaranth Resistant to white rust, it is known as Arka Armenia, it is fast growing with purple-coloured leaves and stem, and is rich in vitamins and minerals.
Carrot Resistant to powdery mildew, it is known as Arka Suraj. Roots are deep and orange, root surface is smooth and is 15-18 cm long.
Note IIHR has branded all of its seeds with the prefix ‘Arka’ because it is located on the banks of river Arkavathi.
Vegetable Crops Division, IIHR The Division of Vegetable Crops at IIHR, Hessaraghatta (Bengaluru) was set up in 1968 to carry out research on vegetable crops. It develops superior high yielding vegetable varieties/hybrids in both tropical and subtropical vegetable crops through crop improvement programmes and works on appropriate production technologies to maximise vegetable production and profitability. The division has six laboratories (five breeding laboratories and one for production technology) and 12 scientists (as of 2020) working on more than 20 vegetable crops.
IIHR gives its own vegetable varieties for seed production to farmers as well as buys the seed developed from these varieties from the farmers. It also offers technologies to interested people so they can become entrepreneurs in the vegetable sector.