Rajendranagar: Grape festival drawing people in droves

Rajendranagar: With summer knocking the doors, a variety of delicious grapes are entering the markets from different areas. However, the grapes that are being raised at Grape Research Station Rajendranagar are carrying a niche over others.

During summer a variety of tasty fruits soothe the mood and the physical health of humans if consumed right doze at right time.

Seed and seedless grapes popular

A grape festival, organised by Sri Konda Laxman, Telangana State Horticulture University, at Grape Research Station Rajendranagar, is attracting people to witness tempting bunches of grapes hanging over the vines. People can enjoy a sip of grape juice and wine from grapes of seeded and seedless variety and gives an opportunity to pluck bunches of grapes with bare hands.

Swathes of land on the city outskirts, that have turned into densely populated areas, was once known for grape yards of delicious varieties of berries and among them Anab-e-Shahi is famous even today for its plane texture and juicy taste.

Anab-e-Shahi, is also one among the variety that was put to display at the festival being held few miles away from the city at Rajendranagar. Every variety has its own price according to its texture and taste.

Kishmish Chorni known for boosting immunity

"Kishmish Chorni, also known as black beauty, is the best variety to taste this season before Shivratri. This variety is a seedless fruit carrying many health benefits besides boosting the immune system. This variety is available here in grape station as well as in the markets outside," informed G Ram Reddy, Principle Scientist (PP) and Head Grape Research Station Rajendranagar.

"One more variety 'flame seedless' with a dark orange texture is also rich in taste and full of nutrients having ability to influence positive health in humans. For this variety, the best pruning times is between October 15 to 28 and the harvest will be readied by February", he explained.

Grape varieties galore

One more berry is '18/3 seedless variety' is largely not known to many people. The other varieties are Thomson Seedless, Rezamad Seedless, Red Globe seeded and table variety, Sharad seedless, Bangalore Blue Seeded and Poosa Navrang are seeded and coloured in texture, Zinfandel, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon Chenin Blanc, Manikchaman and Sonaka which are performing very well in our climatic conditions in the State.

"Nowadays 'Red Globe' is also becoming economically viable variety with a high yield in our climate condition.

Thompson seedless preferred by farmers

"As per the commercial perspective, 90 to 95 percent of farmers in the state preferentially grow only 'Thompson Seedless' and its clones like Manikchaman and Sonaka etc which are perceived as economically viable and profit making variety with high yield and good return.