Punjab Agricultural University inks pact for commercialisation of cucumber, tomato hybrid varieties

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 31
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has entered into memoranda of agreement (MoA) with Arizona Seeds Pvt Ltd, Patiala, for the commercial seed production of its cucumber hybrid PKH-11 and tomato hybrid PTH-2.
Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research at PAU, and Mohammad Anwar, Managing Director of Arizona Seeds Pvt Ltd, formalised the agreements.
Dr Dhatt congratulated Dr TS Dhillon, head-cum-Principal Vegetable Breeder; Dr SK Jindal, Principal Vegetable Breeder, and Dr RK Dhall, Principal Olericulturist, for their contributions to the commercialisation of these hybrids.
Dr Jindal highlighted the attributes of tomato hybrid PTH-2, noting its high yield potential of 270 quintals per acre and resistance to late blight and root-knot nematodes. “The hybrid produces round, deep red, medium-sized fruits (75-80g) with a firm texture, 3-4 locules, a total soluble solids (TSS) content of 4.2 per cent and a lycopene content of 4.7 per cent. It is also suitable for processing,” he added.
Dr Dhall described cucumber hybrid PKH-11 as a gynoecious and parthenocarpic hybrid ideal for cultivation in poly/net houses. He said the plants bore 1-2 seedless, bitterness-free fruits per node, moderately ribbed, cylindrical, dark green and 16-18-cm-long, with an average fruit weight of 150-160g. “The hybrid takes 45 days for the first fruit picking after sowing in September and 60 days in January, yielding an average total of 320 quintals per acre and 370 quintals per acre, respectively,” Dr Dhall added.
Dr Khushdeep Dharni, Associate Director of the Technology Marketing and IPR Cell, said, “The MoAs, with various stakeholders, play a crucial role in ensuring the widespread availability of these high-quality seeds, benefiting farmers and the agricultural community.”