Skip to content

Jayanti rohu (CIFA selectively bred) Photo: Biswarup Ganguly · CC BY 3.0 · source ↗

Jayanti rohu (CIFA selectively bred)

Jayanti rohu is the first genetically improved freshwater fish strain developed in India through selective breeding for faster growth. It was developed by ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar in collaboration with the Institute of Aquaculture Research (Akvaforsk), Norway, and released for farmer adoption from 1997 onward.

Key features

  • Origin: ICAR-CIFA Bhubaneswar with NORAD (Norway) collaboration
  • Programme launch: 1992 founder population built from five river systems (Ganga, Brahmaputra, Sutlej, Gomati, Yamuna) and one farmed stock
  • Selection method: combined individual + family selection for growth (BLUP-based EBV)
  • Generations released: from G1 (1997) onward; current commercial seed is from later generations
  • Growth advantage: 17-18% higher growth per generation in early evaluations; cumulative growth advantage of 50-60% over base unselected rohu by G5

Performance

In on-farm trials across eastern India, Jayanti rohu fingerlings reached table size of 1-1.2 kg in about 12 months under recommended composite culture, compared with 600-800 g for unselected rohu under the same management. The strain shows comparable disease resistance to wild rohu and follows the same induced-breeding protocol. Jayanti rohu has been distributed to more than 15 states via the network of CIFA's nucleus and multiplier hatcheries, and is the recommended rohu strain for new pond development under PMMSY.

Cultivation

Stocking densities, feeding and pond preparation are identical to standard rohu (Rohu Labeo Rohita Imc). Jayanti fingerlings should be sourced from CIFA-certified hatcheries or multiplier units to ensure genetic identity; commercially propagated multi-generation stock can lose growth advantage if biosecurity and brood-stock rotation are not maintained. The strain is integrated into both three-species (Carp Polyculture Pond) and six-species (Composite Fish Culture Six Species) composite culture.

Limitations

Performance gains require quality fingerlings (Fingerling Seed Quality) from accredited sources; uncertified seed marketed as "Jayanti" without pedigree control does not necessarily carry the growth advantage. The strain has been selected primarily for growth — not for disease resistance, fillet yield or low-input pond performance.

See also: Rohu Labeo Rohita Imc, Amur Rohu Improved Strain, Composite Fish Culture Six Species, Fingerling Seed Quality, Carp Polyculture Pond.

Sources

  1. Jayanti Rohu — ICAR-CIFA improved strain. ICAR-CIFA Bhubaneswar.
  2. Genetic Improvement of Rohu Carp. NORAD-NACA-ICAR.
  3. Performance of Jayanti rohu in farmers' ponds. KRISHI, ICAR-CIFA.