AgroPages-New hybrid wheat seed to give boost to crop yield-Agricultural news

Agri scientists say it will offer 35 to 40% more wheat production. PHOTO: FILE

The agriculture scientists of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture (MNSUA) have developed climate resilient hybrid wheat seeds, which offered 35 to 40% more wheat production as compared to other commonly used wheat seeds.

Due to climatic variations especially during last stage of wheat crop this year, the production of wheat suffered huge damages, with per acre production falling. However, the hybrid wheat did not undergo any loss but it offered handsome production, said Department of Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization, (MNSUA) Chairman Dr Zulfiqar while talking to APP on Sunday.

He said that hybrid wheat was sown in two different places, Multan and Faisalabad by the varsity scientists. The average production of hybrid wheat remained 66 maund/acre in Multan and 60 maund/acre in Faisalabad. However, the other general (routine) varieties of wheat could offer maximum 40 maund/acre in Multan and 35 maund/acre in Faisalabad. He added that it was huge difference of production. Hybrid wheat offered over 35 to 40 percent more production. Dr Zulfiqar added that the Australian scientists also assisted MNSUA scientists in preparation of hybrid wheat seeds.Similarly, hybrid wheat also proved climate resilient. Dr Zulfiqar sensitized that climatic variations had become very common phenomenon in our region. If the climate remained changing in the same way, then it would be detrimental to agriculture sector of the region.

He observed that hybrid varieties could face the climatic changes amicably and thus could save agriculture sector from losses. Enumerating different features of hybrid wheat, he informed that 30kg hybrid seeds were used in an acre. However, for other general varieties, over 50 kg wheat seed was used in an acre. Hybrid wheat has another important feature of early harvest as compared to other varieties. It could be harvested one weak early. The chairman ORIC observed that hybrid wheat seed had immense nutritional value as it contained more iron and zinc.