Mauritian scientists have released a new cauliflower variety resistant to Black Rot, a disease that has long reduced yields and quality in the country. The variety, named Local Cream for its cream-coloured head, was developed through radiation-induced plant breeding techniques with technical assistance from the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture.
The new variety is designed to reduce pesticide dependence and lower production costs for farmers while maintaining supply for domestic and export markets. According to Rita Nowbiuth, Principal Research Scientist at the Food and Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (FAREI), "This new variety promises to help Mauritian farmers reduce their reliance on chemical pesticides, lower their production costs, and ensure a stable supply of cauliflower."
Research began in 2016 as part of an IAEA-supported program to develop open-pollinated crops with higher tolerance to disease. Local varieties were exposed to gamma rays, and selected lines were tested in multi-location field trials. After eight years, the top-performing mutant line was released to farmers in July 2025. Local Cream can be harvested 60 to 65 days after transplantation.
Black Rot has been a persistent challenge for Mauritian cauliflower growers. The bacterial disease, transmitted through water droplets and occasionally by animals or humans, causes V-shaped lesions on leaves and can lead to total crop loss. Farmers have traditionally relied on imported hybrids or copper-based pesticides to manage the disease, raising costs and dependence on external inputs.
Mauritius produces cauliflower for both domestic consumption and export. A 2023 Agricultural Digest identified the crop as a priority for food security and economic contribution. Local Cream aims to combine the taste and quality of traditional varieties with improved disease resistance, while allowing farmers to save seed.
Farmer evaluations have confirmed that the new variety performs well under field conditions. Two producers, Vikash Caleechurn and Seewan Coonjul, reported tolerance to Black Rot and good product quality.
According to the IAEA, the introduction of Local Cream provides farmers with a lower-cost alternative to chemical control and offers consumers access to safer produce. The collaboration also builds national breeding capacity, with ongoing work now targeting improved cabbage and carrot varieties.
Source: IAEA