In a significant stride for Indian horticultural science, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has released Kaveri Vaaman, a first-of-its-kind dwarf banana variety engineered to withstand lodging and shorten the production cycle. Formally designated Trombay Banana Mutant-9 (TBM-9), the variety represents India’s first mutant banana and the first fruit crop ever developed and released by BARC, marking a historic expansion of its mutation-breeding programme.

Derived from the widely cultivated Grande Naine cultivar, Kaveri Vaaman was developed using controlled gamma radiation—a precision breeding approach that enabled scientists to induce desirable mutations while preserving the fruit’s familiar sensory attributes. The release adds to BARC’s growing portfolio of 72 improved agricultural varieties, underscoring the institution’s rising influence in crop innovation.

The defining feature of Kaveri Vaaman is its reduced plant height, substantially improving resistance to lodging—the bending or breakage of stems that has long plagued banana farmers, especially in coastal belts vulnerable to strong winds. Traditional cultivation often requires heavy bamboo or wooden props to prevent collapse; Kaveri Vaaman’s sturdier, compact architecture eliminates this need, delivering a meaningful reduction in input costs for growers.

BARC reports that the variety matures nearly six weeks earlier than its parent, enabling faster crop turnover and improved farm productivity. Its dwarf stature also makes it highly suitable for high-density planting, terrace farming, and both commercial and household orchards, expanding its usability across diverse Indian geographies.

Describing the release as “a major step in revolutionising the improvement of horticultural crops in India through the use of ionising radiation,” Ajit Kumar Mohanty of the Department of Atomic Energy emphasised how the innovation reflects India’s growing scientific ambition in horticulture. Vivek Bhasin, Director at BARC, noted that the milestone showcases the centre’s strategic shift from working primarily on traditional field crops to advancing fruit crops and vegetatively propagated plants.

The development of Kaveri Vaaman was carried out in close collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the National Research Centre for Banana in Tamil Nadu. The variety was selected after years of rigorous mutagenesis, multi-location screening, and field trials to ensure agronomic stability and farmer relevance.

With its promise of reduced risk, lower costs, and faster returns, Kaveri Vaaman positions itself as a transformative variety for India’s banana ecosystem—a scientific breakthrough poised to deliver practical impact at the farm gate and fresh momentum for the country’s horticultural advancement.