| The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has suggested that farmers of the north-western region grow the newly developed scented rice varieties, including the rice hybrid, as these take less time to mature and produce a higher yield. The new varieties also have a good aroma, similar to that of basmati, and are expected to fetch premium prices in the export market.
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| Talking to the media, IARI director S Nagarajan said the new scented rice hybrid, Pusa RH-10, developed by the institute, had superfine grains and possessed quality traits typical of basmati.
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| It matures in 110 to 115 days and can easily fit into the rice-wheat cropping cycle in vogue in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal.
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| He also recommended cultivation of the Pusa Sugandh series of new basmati-like aromatic rice varieties. These include Pusa Sugandh-2, Pusa Sugandh-3, Pusa Sugandh-4 and Pusa Sug-andh-5.
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| These are suitable for cultivation in the north-western region. They mature in 115-125 days and have a yield range of 5.5 tonne to 6.5 tonne a hectare.
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| In the case of fruits, Nagarajan suggested planting of the new mango variety, Pusa Arunima. This is a mango hybrid, suitable for close planting to accommodate more plants per hectare. The advantage this variety is that it ripens late, towards the first week of August when other mango varieties is more or less exhausted.
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| These hybrid mangoes are rich in vitamin C and beta carotene contents and have a good flavour with a long shelf life at room temperature. Freshly planted trees would bear fruits after four years, he said.
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| Another IARI mango variety, Pusa Surya, is also suitable for close planting. The plants of this variety are relatively less prone to the dreaded mango malformation malady, which is prevalent in the country. The fruits normally ripen by the third week of July.
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| In the case of grapes, he commended the use of varieties like Pusa Navrang (having red pigment in both skin and pulp) and Pusa Urvashi (good for raisin making). |
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