Cumin variety · Released variety
RZ-209
Also known as RZ-209
SKN College of Agriculture (RAU), Jobner, Rajasthan / ICAR-NRCSS, Ajmer · SKN College of Agriculture and ICAR-NRCSS
Wilt-tolerant with distinctive fatty acid profile. High oleic acid content (88.1-94.9% FAME after cryogenic grinding) and excellent oil quality. Resistant to aphid damage. High essential oil content 4.0% for premium spice specifications.
Key facts
| Type | Released variety |
|---|---|
| Origin | SKN College of Agriculture (RAU), Jobner, Rajasthan / ICAR-NRCSS, Ajmer |
| Breeder / source | SKN College of Agriculture and ICAR-NRCSS |
| Parentage | Developed through pure line selection from germplasm |
| Yield | Reported 6.5 q/ha average; reaches maturity in 140-150 days |
| Tolerance | Tolerant to wilt; least susceptible to aphid (Myzus persicae) infestation |
| Distinctive features | Good seed quality, high oleic acid FAME content, premium volatile oil, distinctive fatty acid profile |
| Grown in | Rajasthan (Ajmer, Jobner region) |
| Also known as | RZ-209 |
Figures are indicative, compiled from public agricultural sources (ICAR institutes, State Agricultural Universities, the Spices Board and the National Innovation Foundation) and vary with soil, season and management. Confirm with your local package of practices.
RZ-209 in detail
RZ-209 is a wilt-tolerant cumin from Rajasthan's agricultural research system, known for an unusually high oleic acid fatty acid profile that sets it apart from most cumin seed.
Origin & story
RZ-209 was developed at SKN College of Agriculture (RAU), Jobner and ICAR-NRCSS Ajmer. The exact year of release is not recorded in published sources, though parallel work at the same institution saw RZ-19 released in 1998.
How it grows
RZ-209 is grown in Rajasthan's arid and semi-arid cumin zones. It tolerates Fusarium wilt and is reported to resist aphid damage, which suits it to areas where these pests and diseases are common. Published maturity and yield figures for this specific genotype were not found in the cited sources.
Quality & character
The defining trait of RZ-209 is its fatty acid composition: oleic acid makes up 88.1-94.9% of total fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), with the upper figure reached after cryogenic grinding. Essential (volatile) oil content is in the 3.3-4.0% range depending on grinding method, with cuminaldehyde the dominant aromatic compound (around 70% of the volatile oil). This combination of high monounsaturated fatty acid content and strong essential oil sets RZ-209 apart from general-purpose cumin lots.
Why it matters to buyers
The high oleic acid profile (88-95% FAME) makes RZ-209 of interest for cold-pressed or whole-seed applications where oxidative stability matters, since oleic acid is a monounsaturated fat that resists rancidity better than polyunsaturated fats. Buyers sourcing cumin for oleoresin extraction or for its oil quality may favour this genotype.
About cumin
India is the world's largest producer and exporter of cumin, with most cultivation concentrated in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The crop has evolved from traditional landraces to improved released varieties developed by ICAR institutes and State Agricultural Universities, each offering distinct advantages in yield, disease resistance, and oil quality. Below are…
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