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India's Central Rice Research Institute releases drought-resistant paddy variety for rain-fed areas
New Delhi, India
June 18, 2009
Source: The Hindu via Checkbiotech.org
The Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) has developed a drought-resistant variety of paddy for rain-fed up-plant areas (the area in upper reaches) where there is little water, just about a month after a flood-resistant seed was released by the institute in Orissa.
"The rice variety, called Sahabhagi, is meant for the rain-fed up-plant area where the availability of water is a problem. It has been developed by our unit in Hazaribag in Jharkhan d and is meant mainly for such areas in Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal," CRRI Director T K Adhya told PTI from Cuttack.
However, the variety can be used by farmers in similar regions in some other states like Mayurbhaj district of Orissa, Mr. Adhya added.
The new variety, to be released soon after having been subjected to three years of trials in different parts of the country, can grow with little water and fetch about 3.5-4 tonnes of paddy per hectare, which is quite impressive, the director added.
The new paddy seed has been allowed for release by the All India Co-ordinated Rice Improvement Project, the approval of which is a must for the release of any variety, he said.
Last month, the CRRI had released a flood-resistant paddy variety -- Swarna Sub-1 -- in Orissa, which can withstand flood as the seed can remain sub-merged in water for 15-20 days without getting affected, Mr. Adhya explained.
Scientists with the CRRI injected the gene of the FR 13-A variety of paddy into the popular Swarna variety and produced this seed. But this new seed is not a genetically modified crop, Mr. Adhya clarified.
He said the institute is now planning to inject that gene into some other varieties, such as Gayatri and Sarala, to enhance flood resistance in other seeds as well.
Though the Swarna Sub-1 has been allowed by the Orissa government for release, the Central Variety Release Committee will now decide if the variety can be used in other states as well.
These two varieties are expected to play an important role in states like Orissa where some regions get flooded every year while some other parts witness drought. However, they can be used in other parts of the country depending upon climatic conditions.
Last year, the institute had developed 'Barsha Dhan' -- a variety of paddy that can withstand some pressure of wind due to its strong straw.
Copyright © 2009, The Hindu
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