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.
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