Central Tuber Crops Research Institute releases two new tapioca varieties

Sree Annam and Sree Manna require lesser nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium input compared to other high-yield varieties

The ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) here has released two new tapioca varieties or cultivation that require lesser nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) input compared to other high-yield varieties. The varieties, named Sree Annam and Sree Manna, promise a high yield with low NPK needs, the CTCRI said.

“While 100:50:100 kg per hectare N, P2O5 and K2O are the standard NPK fertilizer recommendations for other high yielding tapioca varieties, the new varieties require only 25% (25:12.5:25 kg per hectare N, P2O5 and K2O) for getting similar yields of 30-40 tonnes per hectare,” the CTCRI said.

‘Ideal for Kerala’

Sree Annam and Sree Manna have excellent cooking quality, a soft texture and low cyanogenic glucoside content making them ideally suited for cultivation in Kerala, K. Susan John, principal scientist and lead developer of the varieties, said.

Sree Annam has a cream rind and dark yellow flesh due to beta-carotene content. This tuber variety can be stored for a week after harvest without affecting post-harvest physiological deterioration (PPD), giving it better market value. Sree Manna tuber has a pink rind and white flesh. A greater number of dense and bigger white roots, higher leaf area and more leaf retention time are important attributes of these varieties.

Better profits

“The CTCRI gives thrust on developing climate-resilient agriculture (CRA) technologies and the popularisation of these varieties will substantially reduce NPK fertilizer need without compromising yield which will significantly improve farmers’ profit, besides reducing carbon emission of crop production,” CTCRI director G. Byju said.

Published - November 28, 2024 10:59 pm IST