SUK to release 2 new varieties of non-basmati aromatic rice
Published on: March 11, 2022.
Filed under:
Shivaji University Kolhapur (SUK) will soon make a record of releasing two new varieties of non-basmati aromatic rice. Genetically improved mutants of Ajara Ghansal and Kala Jirga, two famous rice varieties have been researched by the researchers from the Botany department of SUK that can overcome the deficiency which earlier traditional ones had.
Botany professor Nikhil Gaikwad said, “Kolhapur is enriched with several exclusive landraces of rice. Ajara Ghansal and Kala Jirga are the two famous non-basmati aromatic rice varieties that are highly sought after for their immense commercial revenue generation. These aromatic rice landraces consist high amount of minerals and other nutrients and have an ever-increasing market demand. But, these landraces have certain inherent problems like low yield, long maturity period and lodging due to tall height.
To overcome these deficiencies our team carried out research over their mutants for the past six years and we have got succeeded in finding mutants that are low in height, high yielding, long-standing and lodging resistant and early maturing,” added Gaikwad. SUK Vice-chancellor Dr DT Shirke said, “Local varieties of rice should be conserved. Ajara Ghansal has got Geographical Index (GI) tag to it and the release of these two rice varieties by decreasing their drawbacks and at the same time maintaining its taste, aroma and nutritional value is a ‘revolutionary research’ carried in SUK.”
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/suk-to-release-2-new-varieties-of-non-basmati-aromatic-rice/articleshow/90137648.cms
