Scientists from Pune based Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) have developed a hybrid variety of grapes which is resistant to fungal diseases, high yielding and has excellent juice quality.
It is also suitable for preparation of juice, raisin, jam and red wine and farmers are enthusiastically adopting the variety.
The hybrid variety ARI-516 has been developed by interbreeding of two species from the same genus — Catawba variety of Vitis labrusca and Beauty seedless variety of Vitis vinifera.
The work which has been published in the in Proceedings of the International Symposium on Grape Production and Processing is a result of a collaboration between Maharashtra Association for the Cultivation of Science (MACS) and ARCI and can benefit farmers, the processing industry and consumers.
The fungal resistance of ARI-516 has been derived from Catawba, which is an American grape variety. It has superior quality fruits and higher yield per unit area. An early ripening hybrid, it matures in 110 – 120 days after pruning. The variety has elongated bunches and bears pleasant musky flavoured berries and performs well in Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and West Bengal.
Grape Production In India
India ranks twelfth in the world in terms of grape production.
About 78% of grape production in India is utilized for consumption, 17-20 % for raisin production, 1.5 % for wine and 0.5 % for juice.
Maharashtra leads in the production of grapes in India with a share of 81.22 %.
A negligible share of grapes is used for juice production. A majority of farmers in Maharashtra cultivate ‘Thompson seedless’ and its clones for table purpose or raisin making. These varieties are highly susceptible to fungal diseases which increase plant protection cost. Grapes suffer 8.23-16 per cent of post-harvest losses. Juice making is an excellent option to reduce post-harvest losses.
