New superior groundnut variety developed by ICRISAT & BARI released in Bangladesh

A superior groundnut variety, developed by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), is now available in the country for cultivation for the upcoming post-rainy season, bolstering economic opportunities for farmers. This improved variety is more resistant to diseases and has been designed to meet the needs of food processing industries.

After successful testing in Bangladesh, the new groundnut variety BARI Chinabadam-12 (ICGV 07219), which has tan-colored kernels and exhibits desirable market traits has been approved for commercial cultivation.

Dr Manjurul Khadir, Principal Scientific Officer at BARI’s Regional Agricultural Research Station, emphasized the need to enhance domestic groundnut production in response to the increasing demand from food processing industries.

″This new variety presents a valuable opportunity for expanding groundnut cultivation in areas typically submerged during the rainy season, such as the 'Char regions' (newly-formed landmasses in a river or estuary) or locations adjacent to rivers with sandy-loam soil,″ said Dr Khadir.

Compared to the popular and previous variety grown in the country (BARI Chinabadam-9), the new variety has superior attributes.

It has an average on-farm yield of approximately 2.0 to 2.2 tons per hectare, boasting a shelling outturn of 65-70%.

It demonstrates greater resistance to foliar fungal diseases and matures four days earlier than its counterpart. Additionally, the variety features desirable seed size, with kernels weighing 44-48 grams per 100 kernels, showing a sizeable increase of 4-8 grams compared to the check variety.

ICRISAT scientist Dr Sean Mayes, Research Program Director - Accelerated Crop Improvement, recently visited Bangladesh and met with leaders at BARI and other institutes.

ICRISAT and BARI have developed several new varieties of groundnut during the last 20 years.

"ICRISAT and BARI have a long history of collaboration to serve the farmers of Bangladesh, and this new variety is another milestone in that joint work. I look forward to further releases, and it is great that BARI is currently testing high oleic acid groundnut varieties to meet the industry's demands," said Dr Mayes.

ICRISAT and BARI have, over the last two decades, developed several new groundnut varieties.

Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director-General of ICRISAT, expressed gratitude for the support received from various organizations for the breakthrough, especially the Asian Development Bank, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, OPEC Fund for International Development, and USAID-IKP Knowledge Park.

"The partnership between ICRISAT and BARI is a powerful testament to collaboration in agri-food systems. Through our joint efforts, the development of this superior groundnut variety has been achieved, effectively fortifying food security and economic opportunities for farmers in Bangladesh.
"This achievement in groundnut development underscores the transformative impact that strong partnerships can have in shaping a sustainable and prosperous agricultural landscape where persistent challenges have remained," said Dr Hughes.
Dr Janila Pasupuleti, Principal Scientist - Groundnut Breeding at ICRISAT, commended the ongoing partnership with BARI, which resulted in notable varieties in 2006 and 2010.

This latest release in 2023 is a Spanish Bunch type variety, developed through a successful three-way cross.