The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) has made significant strides in the horticultural sector with the development of a new variety of marigold, named Arka Shubha. This innovative variety has several distinctive features, making it a noteworthy advancement in horticultural research.
About Arka Shubha: The New Marigold Variety
Arka Shubha sets a new precedent for marigold varieties with a high carotene content of about 2.8%, which is twice the maximum content found in other marigolds (1.4%). This makes it the plant source with the highest carotene content. Impressively, this variety retains its high carotene content even when spoiled after full bloom – a feature not observed in other marigold varieties.
Significance: Ornamental Application and Crude Carotene Source
While traditional marigolds primarily serve ornamental purposes, the Arka Shubha stands out as a resourceful plant. It is a major source of crude carotene, a compound highly sought after in the pharmaceutical sector. Besides this, Arka Shubha petals can be used as high-quality poultry feed to yield superior egg yolk.
A Step Towards Self Sufficiency: Reducing Import Dependency
India relies heavily on imports for its carotene needs, with countries like China being major suppliers. The development of Arka Shubha offers a solution to this dependency, potentially curtailing India’s need for external sources of carotene. This could prompt an increase in both the cultivation area and investment for carotene extraction domestically.
An Insight into Carotene
Carotenes are oxygen-free carotenoid pigments primarily composed of carbon and hydrogen. They flaunt a range of colors varying from yellow to orange to red, a characteristic attributed to the alternating chain of single and double bonds they possess. Well known for lending carrots their orange color, carotenes like α-carotene, β-carotene, and lycopene are used extensively in the pharmaceutical sector.
About The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research
The IIHR operates as an autonomous organization under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. Its main research station is located in Bengaluru, with regional experiment stations in Bhubaneswar (Orissa) and Chettalli (Karnataka) along with two Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
The institution is committed to elevating horticultural crop yields by focusing on developing high-yielding varieties in fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants, and medicinal products. The advent of Arka Shubha marks a significant milestone in the institution’s ongoing initiatives and research agenda.