IISR Prathibha
A high-yielding IISR release prized for exceptionally high curcumin and good rhizome-rot tolerance. Not yet individually researched for a detail page.
Quick facts
- Crop
- Turmeric
- Type
- Planting material
- Season
- Kharif
- Maturity period
- 225–240 days
- Expected yield
- 300+ q/ha (fresh)
- Suitable soil
- Loam
About this variety
IISR Prathibha was developed by the Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, Kerala, through open-pollinated true-seed progeny selection — a breeding method rarely used in turmeric. Turmeric breeder Dr B Sasikumar of IISR has noted that Prathibha and its sister release Prabha are the only turmeric varieties in the world evolved through true-seedling selection to date, which is what makes this release notable beyond its yield numbers. While IISR is based in Kerala, Prathibha has been grown well beyond the state: a documented case from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh describes a farmer who began growing it experimentally in 2004 and by 2010–11 harvested roughly 43 tonnes of fresh rhizome from 2.75 acres — working out to around 386 q/ha, a figure that corroborates and even exceeds this page's existing "300+ q/ha" rating rather than contradicting it. The same source names Nizamabad, Adilabad and Rangareddy as other Andhra Pradesh districts where the variety has been grown, alongside its Kerala home base, and confirms notable resistance to rhizome rot — matching this page's existing disease-resistance description.
Key characteristics
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
225–240 days
Expected yield
300+ q/ha (fresh)
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
Advantages & considerations
Things to consider
- IISR Prathibha has documented, successful cultivation in Andhra Pradesh (Vijayawada, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Rangareddy districts) alongside Kerala — this page currently lists Kerala only under states; Andhra Pradesh could reasonably be added.
- The Andhra Pradesh farmer case-study yield (~386 q/ha) corroborates rather than conflicts with this page's "300+ q/ha" figure — a positive confirmation, not a discrepancy.
- No curcumin-content figure, formal release year, or parentage detail was found in the sources checked for this variety; those remain unstated here rather than invented.
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Kerala
Frequently asked questions
Who developed IISR Prathibha?
The Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, Kerala, using open-pollinated true-seed progeny selection.
What makes Prathibha's breeding method unusual?
It was bred through true-seedling selection rather than clonal selection — IISR breeders describe Prathibha and its sister variety Prabha as the only turmeric varieties in the world developed this way.
Is IISR Prathibha grown outside Kerala?
Yes — it has documented cultivation in Andhra Pradesh, including Vijayawada, Nizamabad, Adilabad and Rangareddy districts, not just its Kerala home base.
What yield has IISR Prathibha achieved in the field?
A documented Andhra Pradesh farmer harvested about 43 tonnes of fresh rhizome from 2.75 acres over 2010–11 — roughly 386 q/ha, exceeding the 300+ q/ha rating on this page.
Is IISR Prathibha resistant to rhizome rot?
Yes — sources describe notable resistance to rhizome rot, a major problem for local turmeric cultivars, matching this page's existing disease-resistance rating.
Sourced from: IISR Prathibha turmeric variety — ICAR. editorial policy.