Pusa-1509, a new high-yielding basmati developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), was planted in around 5,000 hectares in the 2013 kharif season. “I expect it to reach one million hectares (mh) in the coming season, replacing a large part of the 1.4 mh now covered under Pusa-1121,” says Ashok K. Singh, Project Leader (Rice) at IARI and the main breeder of Pusa-1509.
Shorter maturity
According to Singh, who was also involved in developing Pusa-1121, the main advantage of the new variety is its maturing — in just 115-120 days from the time of sowing in the nursery bed to harvesting the grain.
“Both Pusa-1121 and Pusa Basmati-1 (an older improved basmati) take 140-145 days. Thirty days less time means farmers needn’t transplant the seedlings in the peak mid-June summer.
“They can do it in mid-July with the onset of the monsoon rains, saving 5-6 irrigations,” he pointed out.
Alternatively, they could raise an additional crop — say, a 60-day moong or green gram — between harvesting of wheat in mid-April and transplanting Pusa-1509 in mid-July.
Higher yields
Moreover, the average paddy yields in Pusa-1509, at 25 quintals an acre, are more than the 20 quintals for Pusa-1121. The main reason: a lower plant height of 80 cm as against 120 cm for Pusa-1121.
Shorter maturity
According to Singh, who was also involved in developing Pusa-1121, the main advantage of the new variety is its maturing — in just 115-120 days from the time of sowing in the nursery bed to harvesting the grain.
“Both Pusa-1121 and Pusa Basmati-1 (an older improved basmati) take 140-145 days. Thirty days less time means farmers needn’t transplant the seedlings in the peak mid-June summer.
“They can do it in mid-July with the onset of the monsoon rains, saving 5-6 irrigations,” he pointed out.
Alternatively, they could raise an additional crop — say, a 60-day moong or green gram — between harvesting of wheat in mid-April and transplanting Pusa-1509 in mid-July.
Higher yields
Moreover, the average paddy yields in Pusa-1509, at 25 quintals an acre, are more than the 20 quintals for Pusa-1121. The main reason: a lower plant height of 80 cm as against 120 cm for Pusa-1121.
Pusa Basmati 1509 released in 2013 has proved better then Pusa 1121 a fragrance variety of Basmati Rice.
Our source from which we have multiplied the seed is IARI NEW DELHI THROUGH YOUNG FARMERS ASSOCIATION, RAKHARA (PUNJAB).
Contact
Gaureesh
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