PAU inks pacts with Bhopal-based Khajuraho seeds private firm

April 22, 2024 10:51 am

Published by: PreetiMahajan

Ludhiana, July 11

The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has inked a pact with Khajuraho Seeds Pvt Ltd, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, for the commercial seed production of carrot variety PC 161, chilli hybrid CH 27 and muskmelon hybrid MH 27.

The Memorandum of Agreement was signed by Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research, PAU and UtsavTiwari, Khajuraho Seeds Pvt Ltd, Madhya Pradesh.

Dr Gursahib Singh, Additional Director of Research (Farm Mechanization and Bioenergy), congratulated Dr TS Dhillon, Head-cum- Principal Vegetable Breeder, Department of Vegetable Science; Dr SK Jindal, Senior Vegetable Breeder and Dr SP Sharma, Principal Vegetable Breeder, for the commercialization of the vegetable varieties.

Dr Dhillon explained that PC 161 was a tropical variety of carrot and its roots matured in 90 days after sowing. “Roots are deep red in colour, 30 cm long, slender and 2.84 cm in diameter. The roots have more juice content (575.50 ml/kg), and are sweet (TSS 9.5% and sugar content 8.75%) and rich in β-carotene (8.88 mg/100 g). Average root yield is 256 q/acre,” he added. Till date, 55 MoAs have been signed in different vegetable hybrids/varieties with different companies/progressive farmers, he said.

Dr Jindal told that CH 27 was a high-yielding hybrid of chilli with multiple resistances to leaf curl virus, fruit rot and root-knot nematodes.

“The plants are spreading and continue to bear fruits for a long time. Its fruits are light green, long and medium in pungency. The hybrid is suitable for powder-making and processing purposes. CH 27 is a popular hybrid among growers due to its wider adaptability in the country,” he said.

Dr Sharma said: “The fruits of muskmelon hybrid MH 27 are round, light yellow, sutured and netted. Flesh is thick, salmon orange, and medium juicy with 12.5 per cent TSS. The fruits develop ‘full slip’ stage. Its first picking is after 63 days of transplanting. The average fruit weight is 860 g. It is tolerant to wilt and root-knot nematodes. The yield is 87.5 q/acre. It has a long shelf life and is suitable for distant transportation.”