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RFRS sceintists develop Konkan Samrat, first-ever hybrid mango variety
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Saturday, 02 August, 2014, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Libin Chacko Kurian, Mumbai
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fiogf49gjkf0d Scientists at the Regional Fruit Research Station (RFRS), Vengurla (Sindhudurg District), headed by horticulturist Dr B R Salvi, RFRS’ associate director, developed Konkan Samrat, the first-ever hybrid variety of mango, under Dapoli Agriculture University.
The result of research that commenced 17 years ago, the fruit is a high-yielding variety (its production capacity is 25-40 per cent) with a longer shelf life (of 13 days after ripening), is expected to meet marketing challenges and have an increased presence in the international market.
“It is sweeter, of a richer colour, heavier, bigger in size and more adaptable to climatic changes than other Indian varieties (including Alphonso, which is one of its parents) and contains less fibre than them,” stated Dr Salvi.
Moreover, the government of Maharashtra has recognised the mango, whose other parent is Tommy Atkins (a variant that dominates the American and European markets) and which does not have spongy tissue, and the state agriculture department would promote it.
The research station is planning to produce it on a large scale, initially in Maharashtra and then to other parts of India. When the transportation challenges are solved, India easily would be able to export it.
Dr Salvi said, “We are planning for the large-scale planting of this variety, and it would soon be supplied to farmers for production. Though it would initially be produced only for Maharashtra, it would soon be planted in other states also.”
“This variety can compete with any international variety with better traits and without compromising on its quality. Most transportation problems could be solved with increased shelf life,” he added.
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