Arka Neelachal Akshay – A high yielding variety of rose apple

Abstract

Commercial exploitation of underutilized fruit species is need of the hour for crop diversification as well as increasing fruit basket. In this endeavour, tapping the potential of important minor fruit crops and effective management of their genetic resources seems promising. Rose apple is one of such potential underutilized fruit crops with high market value. However, due to the unavailability of improved variety and quality planting materials, its cultivation is restricted to selected localities and in backyard plantation. Development of a high yielding variety of rose apple (Arka Neelachal Akshay) will be helpful in enhancing the area under cultivation as well as its commercial exploitation through production of quality planting materials by the Centre. Arka Neelachal Akshay has the potential to become viable options for crop diversification due to fruit quality and higher yield. The variety has ability to thrive well in the moisture stress condition and thus can be cultivated in semiarid regions, marginal uplands and problematic soils. Therefore, considering the possible inevitable impact of climate change on production efficiency of major fruits, underutilized fruit crop like rose apple (Arka Neelachal Akshay) may be an economically viable option for the fruit growers in tropical regions.