Q. Which institution has developed a new light-coloured turmeric variety called IISR Surya for the spices industry?
Answer: Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode
Notes: The Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, has developed a new turmeric variety called IISR Surya for the masala industry. IISR Surya has a light-coloured rhizome suited for modern turmeric powder production. It was developed after ten years of focused research by IISR scientists through clonal selection from their turmeric germplasm conservatory. The variety offers a 20% to 30% higher yield than existing light-coloured types and can yield up to 41 tonnes per hectare. It contains 2% to 3% curcumin, matching other light-coloured varieties. IISR Surya is recommended for cultivation in Kerala, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Arunachal Pradesh. It aims to help farmers, reduce market shortages, and support both domestic and export demand.

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