By MELODY M. AGUIBA
The Philippines has successfully propagated ‘superior’ varieties of nutrition-rich peanut from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) with the Asha “three-in-one†variety becoming known as confectionery peanut.
The introduction of ICRISAT peanut varieties in the country through field trials since 2005 is now recognized as a commercial success, according to Cagayan Valley Integrated Agricultural Research Center (CVIARC) Project Leader Rose Mary G. Aquino.
The varieties are now planted on 3,500 hectares in Region 2. Peanut area here is further targeted to reach 5,000 hectares in at least three years.
“Our ground nut (peanut) breeding and seed production training in ICRISAT, India in 2005 has been a contributor to the successful production of Asha peanut in Region 2,†said Aquino in a Bureau of Agricul¬tural Research (BAR)-ICRISAT collaboration forum.
The peanut varieties are not only high-yielding but have other traits such as disease resistance. Namnama 1, an all season variety, is resistant to foliar diseases and matures early at 98 to 110 days after planting. It gives a yield of 2.2 to 2.6 metric tons (MT) per hectare and has a high shell¬ing recovery rate of 69 percent.
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