THIRUVANATHAPURAM: CALL this a giant leap in the state's horticulture sector.
For the first time ever, carrots, which are cool climate crops, are in full bloom in the tropical plains of Kerala.
The tropical variety, pusa rudira of carrot grown at Precision Farming Development Centre (PFDC), Tavanur in Malapuram district under Kerala Agricultural University's Kelapaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology blossomed during last month.
Of late, cultivation of cool season vegetables had attained much popularity in the State with the introduction of certain tropical varieties.
Cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, beetroot and radish have replaced the common vegetable varieties grown in the state. "But it won't flower and set seed in the plains of Kerala though rare incident of flowering were reported from high ranges. The variety pusa rudira of carrot is flowering for the first time in the plains of Kerala. The seeds sown during the last week of October bloomed by the beginning of January," Jalaja S Menon, Assistant Professor (Horticulture) told Express. "Almost 90 percent plants grown in the low cost minirain shelter are the ones which bloomed. But those grown in the open field are yet to flower. We have to conduct a detailed study whether the effect of green house is behind the flower initiation in crops or not. The peculiar climate that persisted during this season might have been the reason for these flowering or it could be the peculiarity of this particular variety," Jalaja said.
What thrills the scientists of PFDC is the seed setting in these plants. "Cool season vegetable crops are propagated by seeds. As carrots do not flower and set seed in plains of Kerala, seeds for cultivation are brought mainly from other states or from any multinational company. The germination ability of these seeds and its productivity are to be studied in detail to introduce it on a commercial basis,'' she added. Normally, continuous cool season is necessary for flower initiation in carrots.
Though certain tropical variety grown in high altitude regions blossom rarely, it won't set into seeds, Jalaja said.
The carrot variety pusa rudira is one of the tropical variety of carrot from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. The roots are ready to harvest by 7590 days after planting. The variety is rich in betacarotene and because of its deep red colour, they are important in preparing halwa.
