By laksh5382 
ICAR – Indian Institute of Spices Research has released its new ginger variety for commercial applications. This variety, named IISR Surasa, has been developed through a farmer-participatory breeding programme.
Sursa, a non pungent variety, has excellent organoleptic properties which make it more palatable when consumed. If cultivated using scientific methods, its yield can be up to 24.33 tonnes per hectare, which provides continuous production. This is the first ginger variety in India that has been developed specifically for use as a vegetable, a press release said.
The researchers discovered the root rhizome of this variety from John Joseph, a farmer in Kodancherry, Kozhikode. With his consent the team of IISR scientists conducted rigorous tests and trials on accession for six years. This variety has been agriculturally tested in the areas of Kerala, Nagaland, Odisha and has demonstrated stable yield during the trials ensuring stable and high productivity.
Recently, the Kerala State Variety Release Committee has given approval for the cultivation of Surasa in Kerala.
The rhizomes of Sursa are thick and thick, with a white yellow core. It has low fiber content and dry recovery rate of about 21 percent, which also makes it ideal for making dry ginger when needed. This variety is also ideal for growing in polybags.
CK Thankamani, Principal Scientist, IISR, and Principal Researcher, Surasa, said that the strong rhizomes and excellent characteristics of this variety make it highly suitable for commercial applications. Planting material will be made available to the farmers from the next planting season May-June.
The research team behind IISR Surasa includes NK Leela, TE Sheeja, KS Krishnamurthy, D. Prasad, Sharon Aravind and S. Mukesh Shankar is included.