Prathibha is an improved turmeric variety-a unique one being one of the two

turmeric varieties evolved through sexual breeding method (through the seeds obtained from turmeric flowers) for the first time in the world (the other one is its celestial twin Prabha). All other turmeric varieties, numbering about 22, are evolved through asexual means of rhizome selection or mutation breeding. Prathibha along with Prabha are evolved at the Indian Institute of Spices

Prathibha theSuperiorResearch, Kozhikode, Kerala over years of concerted research right from collecting seeds from mother turmeric plant, its germination and gradual multiplication coupled with careful selection of superior seedling progenies. Out of the two varieties so evolved from the true turmeric seedlings, Prathibha, proved to be more adaptable and acceptable to the farming community over the course of time, may be due to its better phenotypic plasticity.

Prathibha, proved to be more adaptable and acceptable to the farming community over the course of time, may be due to its better phenotypic plasticity.

Experience of farmers like K. Sasikumar, Nattinchira, Trissur, Ph.944715154; P.C.Cherian, Valakam, Muvattupuzha, Ph.0485-2209166;P. Abdul Nabeel, Meppayyur, Kozhikode, Ph.0496-2676542 testifies the success of the variety in Kerala. Crossing the borders of Kerala over Western Ghats, the variety has earned a name and fame in far and wide states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra etc. P.Chandrasekhar Azad, Maruti Pearls, Kunchanappally, Guntur, Ph.9490878942 , a 68 year old farmer, is now a fan of Prathibha. Convinced with Prathibha’s prathibha for the last 5years, Azad, son of a freedom fighter, has now ventured up on the task of popularizing the variety in the entire state of Andhra Pradesh, the largest turmeric producing state in the country with about 60,000 ha. under the crop. He takes classes on Prathibha cultivation to farmer’s groups, arranges visit of farmers and officials to his 4.5 acre plot of Prathibha at Guntur and even supplies good quality Prathibha seed rhizomes to the state department of horticulture and interested farmers. High yield, short duration, tolerance to rhizome rot and good quality are the features that endear Prathibha to Andhra farmers. Similarly, Mr.Prakash Y. Pol ,Wai, Satara, Ph.9423260764 is one of the beneficiaries of the variety from Maharashtra. Prathibha is a medium duration variety, maturing in195-220 days, with an average yield of 39 t ha-1 (fresh). Its dry recovery is 18.5 per cent, curcumin under Kerala condition is 6.2 per cent and total curcuminoids 5.46 per cent. Oleoresin and oil yields are 16.2 and 6.2 per cent, respectively. Rhizomes are medium sized.