The Hindu Business Line : TNAU to take up research on amla

Coimbatore, Jan. 7 The board of research on nuclear science in the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has sanctioned a research project to the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University on amla as an economic crop.

The three-year research work will enable TNAU undertake studies to estimate the gamma ray induced polygenic variations in amla for morphological, physiological and economical characters and also assess the impact of gamma ray induced variations at molecular level, besides identifying useful and economic mutants.

According to a press release from the TNAU’s Dean (Horticulture), Dr D. Veeraragavathatham, the research project would pave for early production of stable mutant genotypes of desirable amla plant with dwarf-tree stature characteristics suitable for medium density orchards and having desirable fruit quality (high fibre content, phenols and tannins) for processing and pharmaceutical industries.

Demand, value

Amla fruits are highly valuable and rich in nutrients and medicinal properties. The estimated annual demand for amla fruits from industries is at two lakh tonnes against 1.75 lakh tonnes produced within the country.

Developing high yielding varieties bearing quality fruits specially suitable for processing assumes importance, especially to meet the growing demand.

But the crop development programme for amla, according to the Dean, is faced with constraints like heterozygous nature of the plant, its long juvenile phase, cross and self incompatibility, higher number of staminate flowers etc.

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