Indian Institute of Spices Research Develops New Light-Coloured Turmeric Variety for Masala Industry
To meet the specific needs of the powdering and masala industry, the ICAR – Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) has developed a new light-coloured turmeric variety called IISR Surya.
This variety has a light-coloured rhizome, which is especially suitable for making turmeric powder. After years of research, IISR Surya is expected to help farmers produce high-quality turmeric powder and meet growing market demands.
The powdering industry prefers lighter-coloured turmeric varieties like Mydukur and Salem Local. However, these local types are available only in small quantities. To meet demand, manufacturers often mix them with regular yellow turmeric. This blending process leads to turmeric powder with inconsistent quality and no standard characteristics.
Another challenge is that these popular light-coloured varieties have very low yields, making them difficult to grow on a large scale. Yet, the demand for light-coloured turmeric continues to rise, especially in niche markets such as Japan and parts of Europe.
IISR Surya addresses this issue by offering both the preferred colour and a higher yield.
Key Features of IISR Surya:
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High-yielding and long-duration variety (9 months)
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Produces 20–30% more than current light-coloured varieties like Mydukur
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Can yield up to 41 tonnes per hectare under ideal conditions
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Average yield is around 29 tonnes per hectare
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Has a pleasant aroma, adding to its appeal
This variety was developed over ten years by the IISR research team, including D. Prasath, S. Aarthi, N.K. Leela, S. Mukesh Sankar, and B. Sasikumar.
IISR Surya has been recommended for cultivation in Kerala, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Arunachal Pradesh by the All India Coordinated Research Project on Spices (AICRPS).
Also Read | ICAR – IISR has won Best Technology Award for its work in horticulture sciences
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