Iari Develops Hybrids Of Basmati-Type Grain

The Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) has achieved a breakthrough in developing rice hybrids that possess the quality of basmati-type grains.

Four such hybrids have been entered for all-India co-ordinated multi-locational field trials to assess their performance in different parts of the country. Depending on the results of these tests, these hybrids would thereafter be released for commercial cultivation.

IARI director R B Singh said such basmati-type rice hybrids have been entered for all-India co-ordinated trials for the first time in the country. Hybrids in basmati rice are likely to increase their production by a significant margin, leaving more surplus for export, he said. IARI scientists had also developed a new type of rice plant through the hybridisation of Indica (Indian) and Japonica (Japanese) types of rice. The new plant, which has thick stem and a large panicle (grain-bearing portion), was expected to help break the current yield barrier.

IARI has also evolved several other new high-yielding and disease-resistant varieties of various crops. Seven of these new varieties were released for commercial cultivation last week on the occasion of the Institutes 36th convocation.

Besides, a new cotton strain, Pusa 180, has been identified as possessing resistance against the dread leaf curl virus.

The seven new varieties that have been released include Pusa Composite-3 and Pusa Composite-4 of maize, Pusa Bharti of Indian spinach, Pusa Bathua variety of Chenopodium, Pusa Hybrid-3 of bottle gourd, Pusa Sumeet of broad beans and Pusa Pragati of peas.

In pulses, the IARI has recently commercialised a new bold seeded variety of desi chana (chickpea or gram) called Pusa 391. Besides, a new strain of green gram often used as fresh vegetable has also been released for commercial cultivation under the name Pusa Hara Chana. It is deemed to possess better culinary qualities than the presently available green gram types.

IARI has developed two new promising mango hybrids named H 13-1 and H 8-11. A variation of the popular mango variety, Amarpali, has been evolved through the genetic mutation process. The new mango has fruits weighing around 225 grams each and a sugar content of 26 per cent. The Institute has also identified two grape varieties, Pusa Navrang and Hurdeard 76-1, which are capable of producing good quality wine and Munakka (dehydrated grapes), respectively.