Pakistan introduces four new rust resistant wheat varieties

The agriculture scientists of Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) have released four new rust resistant wheat varieties including a bio-fortified variety having 50 percent Zinc (Zn) contents. “The bio-fortified variety is the first-ever such introduction in the list of recommended varieties for farmers’ choice in any agro-ecology,” Chairman PARC Variety Evaluation Committee, Dr. Shahid Masood said while chairing the meeting of the committee here at PARC headquarters. The VEC meeting was attended by all provincial members and Director and National Coordinator Wheat PSD PARC, Dr. Atiq-ur-Rehman.

After thorough deliberations and evaluation of the new varieties, the VEC finally recommended four candidate wheat varieties for release in the country, providing an opportunity to the farmers to choose from these new varieties and produce healthy wheat to cater to increasing nutritious food demands. It is pertinent to mention here that Zinc is a metal also called an essential trace element because very small amounts of zinc are necessary for human health. Zinc is used for treatment and prevention of zinc deficiency so the new wheat variety, having 50% zinc has health benefits, particularly for children and women.

In addition to the bio-fortified variety, the other three varieties are promising in their respective ecologies, said Dr. Shahid Masood, who is also Member Plant Science in PARC. He said that all these varieties are also resistant to the different types of rusts, which have been one of the major biotic threats to wheat production. So these varieties could resist the all stem rust races including, UG-99, which has been infecting the wheat crop all across the world and RRTTF, which has been threatening for wheat crop in Sindh province. Dr. Shahid Masood, expressed the hope that the new varieties will bring diversity in the existing wheat genetic pool and help in sustained productivity, hence promoting agriculture production all across the country.

Meanwhile, Chairman PARC, Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad lauded the efforts of the scientists for working vigorously to ensure nutritious food for all. “The scientists of PARC have been successful in introducing new crop varieties that would definitely lead the country towards secure future in food and nutrition,” he said, however added that sustainably efforts were needed to further promote agriculture research in the country. Meanwhile, PARC Spokesman, Sardar Ghulam Mustafa said that agriculture scientists were engaged in transferring new technology and research results at the door steps of the farmers to promote agriculture sector. He said that PARC has its contribution in development of Wheat varieties which include Saryab-92, Kohsar-95, Margalla-99, Wafaq-01, NARC-2009, Tejaban-10, NARC-2011 and Pakistan-2013.

In addition, National Research System has been developing wheat varieties for different ecological zones through PARC National Uniform Testing System (NUWYT).  Sardar Mustafa said that for the irrigated area of Punjab, the PARC has already recommended wheat varieties including Uqaab-2000, Farid-2006, Mairag-2008, Lasani-2008, Faisalabad-2008, Aas-2011, Millat-2011, NARC-2011, Punjab-2011, AARI-2011, Galaxy-2013. While for the rain-fed area of Punjab, it recommended Chakwal-50, NARC-2009, BARS-2009, Bharabi-2011 and Pakistan-2013. He said that for the Sindh province, it has recommended TD-1, SKD-1, Imdad 2005, Saasi, 2006, Khirman-2006, NIA Amber-2010, NIA Sunehri-2010, NIA Sunder-2011, NIA Sarang-2013, Benazir-2013. The PARC also recommended varieties like Pirsabak-2004, Pirsabak-2008, Hashim-2008, Pirsabak-2013 for irrigated area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while for the rainfed areas of the province, it recommended Pirsabak-2005, Tatara, NIFA, Shahkar-2013, Lalma-2013.

For the province of Balochistan, it has recommended Zargoon-79, Zarlashta-99, Raskoh-2005, Mustafa added.