ICAR-IIHR develops disease-resistant flower ‘Arka Ayush’ for farmers

Kolkata: Flower farming is now one of the best ways to increase the income of farmers. In a joint venture, ICAR and the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, have developed a new variety of gladiolus flower called ‘Arka Ayush’. This variety of flowers is replete with beauty, and its flexibility is superb, making it versatile. Its market value is high because it is used for decorative purposes.

Common flowers generally fade due to different kinds of diseases, but the ‘Arka Ayush’ flower has a special feature, its resistance power. It blooms without any threat of disease. The color pattern of this flower increases its beauty, with each flower showing a red spot with a yellow border.

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‘Arka Ayush’s vibrant contrast can attract anyone. The flowers are thick, slightly ruffled, and arranged in two beautiful rows; the unique combination made them different from other flowers. That is why the demand for this variety is high. Fusarium wilt, a common fungal disease, usually doesn’t harm ‘Arka Ayush’. This quality makes it a healthier, stronger flower; it doesn’t need chemical treatments to keep the crop sustainable.

The Arka Ayush variety can be grown in several parts of the country. Farmers of such states as West Bengal, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra have been asked to cultivate the Arka Ayush variety, as these regions have an ideal climate for the proper growth and development of these flowers.