Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

PHULE KASTURI (GKF-3)-A NEW VARIETY OF FENUGREEK FOR WESTERN MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

M.B. Kadam, V.M. Rajenimbalkar and A.S. Patil

Abstract

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an important leafy vegetable cum spice crop commonly known as “Methi” belongs to Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family. In Maharashtra, this crop is more popular and grown on large area for leaf or green foliage yield, Despite fenugreek being multipurpose crop, it has not obtained due importance in our cropping pattern and little research work has been done on crop improvement programme in Maharashtra. Hence, to explore the prospects and developing new cultivar, evaluation studies were undertaken. A research experiment was conducted during rabi season at National Agricultural Research Project, Ganeshkhind, Pune. Among the studies, three promising genotypes viz., GKF-1, GKF-2 and GKF- 3 were evaluated with two check varieties Methi Extra Bold and RMT-1 for six years (2012-17). The performance of a selection GKL-3 (Purandar Local -1) renamed as “Phule Kasturi” was found most promising for higher yield (110.15 q/ha) than both check varieties Methi Extra Bold and RMT-1(95.77 q/ha and 91.85q/ ha respectively) with green foliage, red colour margin of leaves and better consumer acceptance. It also hasgood nutritional quality.