BHU scientists develop new variety of Basmati rice with higher yield

The agriculture scientists of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) have developed a Basmati rice variety (HUBR 10-9), which recorded 60% higher yield than TarawadiBasmati, 20% higher than PusaBasmati and 12% higher than Pusa 1121.

The 66th meeting of the Central Varietal Release Committee held at New Delhi recommended HUBR 10-9 (Malaviya Basmati Dhan 10-9) developed by BHU scientists for notification to the states of Punjab and Haryana. The scientists of the department of genetics and plant breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, BHU, HK Jaiswal (senior rice breeder), RP Singh (senior rice breeder) and VK Srivastava, (senior rice agronomist) developed this variety. HUBR-10-9 possesses long aromatic fine grains.

The plants are 110-115 cms tall. It is a medium duration variety, maturing in 135 to 140 days. Its panicles contain 290 to 300 grains. The milling recovery of this variety is about 70% and head rice recovery 60%. On cooking, the rice is soft and aromatic. The variety was tested from 2009 to 2011 and it recorded a yield of 58.78 quintals per hectare in Punjab and 52.30 quintals per hectare in Haryana. On the basis of DNA finger printing, HUBR-10-9 can be distinguished from Tarawadi Basmati, Pusa Basmati and Pusa 1121.

Singh said that the nursery of HUBR-10-9 should be planted between June 25 and 30 so that it flowers after October 20, when the temperature is favourable for the development of aroma in this variety. Use of organic manure/farm yard compost is must to develop grain characteristics and aroma in the variety.

The yield potential of the variety is 55 to 60 qtls/ha. Farmers need to strictly follow the package of practices to harvest the projected yields of the variety. The agro climatic conditions of the breeder's state (eastern UP) promotes development of grain quality characteristics and aroma in HUBR-10-9. This variety is moderately resistant to leaf and neck blast and brown spot diseases.

HUBR-10-9 can be grown in place of long duration aromatic short grain rice in the region. HUBR-10-9 is a medium duration variety, the fields can be vacated by mid-November for timely sowing of wheat crop. To obtain optimum yield from HUBR-10-9, fertilizer application at the rate of N:P:K, 90:50:50 kg/ha should be used.

Haryana and Punjab contribute 76% area under Basmati and 67% of total production in India. It is also cultivated in the states of Uttarakhand, western Uttar Pradesh, J&K and Delhi.

Basmati rice grows best in the foothills of Himalayas, where the soil, water and climatic conditions are ideal for the development of its characteristic features. In the year 2012-13, export of Basmati rice brought a revenue of Rs 16,000 crores to the exchequer.