Blight-resistant pomegranate developed using Himalayan varieties
Q. Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) has developed a hybrid pomegranate variety that has resistance to- Published on 10 May 16a. Rust
b. Drought
c. Bacterial Blight
d. Fruit Rot
ANSWER: Bacterial Blight
- The wild varieties of pomegranate that have survived in the Himalayan region for centuries have now helped scientists in developing a hybrid pomegranate variety that has resistance to the deadly disease of bacterial blight.
- Bacterial blight has turned out to be a major destroyer of this premium fruit crop, especially in south India.
- The commercial varieties of this crop are high yielding and have attributes such as quality, softness of seeds and bright colour. The commercial varieties, however, lack resistance to the bacterial blight. Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) has introduced disease-resistance traits from the wild varieties into the commercial varieties through hybridisation
- The new hybrid variety may turn out to be a boon for pomegranate growers as over 60 per cent of the fruit crop is being lost every year in the country owing to bacterial blight.
- The disease-resistant variety is also bound to contribute to the environment-friendly cultivation of this crop by substantially reducing the quantum of pesticides being sprayed to protect it.
- Blight refers to a specific symptom affecting plants in response to infection by a pathogenic organism. It is a rapid and complete chlorosis, browning, then death of plant tissues such as leaves, branches, twigs, or floral organs. Accordingly, many diseases that primarily exhibit this symptom are called blights.
