A high yielding Celery (Apium graveolens) variety A-Cel-2 (Ajmer Celery-2) for better resistance, quality with higher essential oil content to grow in Rajasthan

A high yielding variety A-Cel-2 (Ajmer Celery-2) was released and notified by the Rajasthan State Seed Sub- Committee for Agricultural and Horticultural Crops in 33rd meeting on date of 23August, 2019 at Jaipur (Rajasthan) (Notified vide S.O.1480 (E) dated 01.04.2021). This variety is recommended for commercial cultivation in all celery-growing regions of Rajasthan under timely sown conditions following the recommended POP. A-Cel-2 boasts an average seed yield of 874.3 kg/ha, which is 23.2% higher than the check variety A-Cel-1 in multi-location trials across Rajasthan. Additionally, it achieved a yield of 623 kg/ha at ICAR-NRCSS, representing a 49.87% increase over ACel-1. Moreover, the essential oil content of ACel-2 is 17% higher, indicating superior quality compared to the check. This variety thrives in clay loam to sandy soils with good drainage and is expected to significantly boost celery production, improving the socio-economic status of farmers in Rajasthan.