Punjab agri universiy's Kinnow plants in demand

Ludhiana, Apr 24 (UNI) The virus-free, true-to-type nursery plants of Kinnow developed by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) are much in demand by the fruit growers of Punjab other states.

Stating this here today, Dr Jasbir Singh Randhawa, Head Department of Horticulture at PAU said the university had a sound programme to produce disease-free, quality nursery of Kinnow for distribution to growers and for fruit nurseries.

Elaborating the Kinnow programme operating at PAU, Dr Randhawa said from the bud-wood introduced from the Mother Block of Kinnow from University of California (USA) in January, 1999, PAU has established foundation blocks in insect-proof screen houses in the College Orchard. The Foundation Blocks are used for further establishment of Mother Blocks and for supply to the elite growers and government/registered nurseries.

Dr Randhawa further shared that the number of plants produced during different years increased tremendously from 2700 in 2002-03 to 4500, 8200, 12,500, 18,500 and 30,000 in 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 respectively.

Dr Bhagwant Singh Chahal, of the Department of Horticulture said the field studies carried out by the Department have indicated that the disease-free, true-to-type quality plants of Kinnow register enhanced establishment, better performance and faster growth then the ordinary plants.

Dr Randhawa said with the available support to strengthen the Kinnow nursery production programme, a target of one lakh disease free, quality plants of Kinnow will be met. He said that the creation of necessary infrastructure for this programme is being taken up.

The supply of quality nursery plants of Kinnow will have a bearing on the fruit or fruit processing industry. Dr Randhawa suggested that growers should book the plants required by them for their orchards with the Department of Horticulture before the planting time in September.

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