BARC Unveils Kaveri Vaaman: India's First Mutant Banana Variety for Coastal Resilience

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre has developed Kaveri Vaaman, India's first mutant banana variety. This innovation enhances coastal agriculture resilience and marks a significant achievement in crop improvement.

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has introduced Kaveri Vaaman, India's first mutant banana variety. This new variety, which is shorter and can withstand coastal winds, marks a milestone as it is the first fruit crop developed by BARC. The Government of India recently approved its release as Trombay Banana Mutant-9 (TBM-9), expanding BARC's portfolio of improved crop varieties to 72.

Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, described TBM-9's release as a significant advancement in enhancing horticultural crops using ionizing radiation. Vivek Bhasin, Director of BARC, emphasized the importance of gamma ray-induced mutagenesis in creating new crop varieties essential for sustainable agriculture.

Gamma Radiation and Crop Improvement

Kaveri Vaaman was developed through a collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Centre for Banana (ICAR-NRCB) in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. The process involved mutagenizing the popular Grande Naine banana cultivar using gamma radiation. After extensive screening and field trials, TBM-9 was selected for its superior agronomic traits compared to its parent cultivar.

A notable feature of Kaveri Vaaman is its short stature, which makes it resistant to lodging—a common issue with taller banana plants in windy coastal areas. Traditionally, bamboo or wooden poles are used to support these plants. However, this new variety eliminates the need for such props, significantly reducing input costs.

Advantages for Farmers and Cultivators

The maturity period of Kaveri Vaaman is one and a half months shorter than that of Grande Naine, allowing for quicker harvests. Despite these changes, the fruit retains all the organoleptic qualities of its parent variety. This makes it suitable for both high-density plantations and terrace gardening, benefiting commercial and household cultivation alike.

Bhasin also noted that this development signifies an expansion of BARC's mutation breeding programme from traditional crops to fruits and other vegetatively propagated plants. He expressed that TBM-9 is a boon for farmers growing the economically significant Grande Naine banana.

The introduction of Kaveri Vaaman represents a step forward in agricultural innovation in India. By reducing costs and improving resilience against environmental challenges, this new banana variety offers promising prospects for farmers across the country.

With inputs from PTI