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Technical Kisanखेती, तकनीक के साथ
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Elephant Foot Yam (Suran / Jimikand)KharifCorm / corm piece (vegetative)Updated 23 September 2026

Sree Athira

A genetically improved variety from ICAR-CTCRI (2006, cross Am-15 × Am-45) — round corm with pink flesh, excellent cooking quality, and tolerant of both collar rot and mosaic.

SeasonKharif
Maturity period9–10 months
Expected yield40.5 t/ha; 45.6 t/ha potential
Suitable soilLoam

Quick facts

Crop
Elephant Foot Yam (Suran / Jimikand)
Type
Corm / corm piece (vegetative)
Season
Kharif
Maturity period
9–10 months
Expected yield
40.5 t/ha; 45.6 t/ha potential
Suitable soil
Loam
Release
Released 2006 by ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Thiruvananthapuram

About this variety

Sree Athira is a genetically improved suran (elephant foot yam) variety released by ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Thiruvananthapuram, in 2006, from the hybrid cross Am-15 × Am-45. It is a medium-height plant (85–110 cm) with a similar canopy spread, a light-green petiole with green markings, and a round (globose) corm with brown skin and pink flesh. It takes 9–10 months, gives about 40.5 t/ha under commercial management and has a potential of about 45.6 t/ha. CTCRI records excellent cooking quality, and the standout trait is tolerance to both collar rot (Sclerotium rolfsii) and mosaic disease — the two problems that hurt suran growers most.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeCorm / corm piece (vegetative)
    Maturity9–10 months
    Yield potential40.5 t/ha; 45.6 t/ha potential
    Disease resistanceTolerant of collar rot and mosaic
    SoilLoam
    SeasonKharif

Sowing & cultivation

  • SpacingPits of 60 × 60 × 45 cm at about 90 × 90 cm
  • Fertilizer25–30 t/ha FYM plus 80:60:100 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O per hectare in two doses
  • HarvestingReady in about 9–10 months, once the leaf and stalk dry down.

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

9–10 months

Expected yield

40.5 t/ha; 45.6 t/ha potential

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Tolerant of collar rot and mosaic, the two problems that hurt suran growers most
  • Round corm with pink flesh and excellent cooking quality
  • Commercial yield of about 40.5 t/ha with a potential of about 45.6 t/ha

Things to consider

  • The longest crop of the common types (9–10 months), so the plot is tied up for most of the year
  • Recommended for Kerala; check with your KVK before planting elsewhere

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • Kerala

Frequently asked questions

Why choose Sree Athira over Gajendra?

Choose Sree Athira if collar rot or mosaic has hit your fields before and you can spare the plot for 9–10 months, since it is tolerant of both. Gajendra is shorter (about 6–7 months) and is the market standard, but it has no special disease tolerance claimed.

Sourced from: ICAR-CTCRI — Sree Athira, India Science, Technology & Innovation portal — Sree Athira. editorial policy.