ICAR – Indian Institute of Spices Research has released its new ginger variety for commercial applications. Named IISR Surasa, the variety has been developed through a farmers participatory breeding programme.

Surasa, is a non-pungent variety, having excellent organoleptic properties making it more palatable when consumed. Cultivated using scientific methods, it can yield up to 24.33 tonnes per hectare, providing consistent production. It is the first ginger variety in India developed exclusively for use as a vegetable, said a press release.

The researchers discovered the original rhizome of this variety from a farmer, John Joseph in Kodancherry in Kozhikode. With his consent the team of scientists from IISR performed rigorous testing and trials on the accession over six years. The farm trials of the variety have been done in regions across Kerala, Nagaland, Odisha and it has showcased stable yield throughout the trials ensuring stable and high productivity.

Recently, the Kerala State Varietal Release Committee has granted approval for the cultivation of Surasa in Kerala.

Surasa’s rhizomes are bold and plumpy, with a whitish yellow core. It has low fiber content and a dry recovery rate of about 21 per cent, making it even ideal for making dry ginger when needed. The variety is also ideal for growing in polybags.

C.K. Thankamani, Principal Scientist at IISR and the lead researcher for Surasa, said the variety’s bold rhizomes and excellent characteristics make it highly suitable for commercial applications. The planting material will be made available to farmers starting from the next planting season in May-June.

The research team behind IISR Surasa includes N.K. Leela, T.E. Sheeja, K.S. Krishnamoorthy, D. Prasad, Sharon Aravind, and S. Mukesh Shankar.