PAU launches high yield ‘PR127’ variety

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 28

The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has developed medium maturing and high yielding variety “PR 127” of ‘A’ grade parmal rice. It has been developed by crossing Pusa 44 with African rice (Oryzaglaberrima). The State Variety Approval Committee approved PR 127 in the presence of scientists from the PAU and Department of Agriculture, Punjab; representatives of the State government purchase agencies; and rice milling industry.

Dr GS Mangat, head, the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, said “PR 127” matures in about 137 days after seeding. “It possesses long slender (L/B ratio of 3.23), clear translucent grains with excellent milling quality characteristics. It yields 2-3 percent higher total and head rice recoveries than Pusa 44. The variety resists attacks of all 10 prevalent pathotypes of bacterial blight pathogen present in Punjab. The average paddy yield of this variety is 30.0 quintals per acre,” he added.

He said said this variety will prove very beneficial to the farmers on account of its higher paddy yield, medium maturity period and disease resistance, and to the traders due to its excellent milling characteristics. This variety will not only add to varietal diversity in the state but will will also facilitate the paddy residue operations on account of its optimal maturity period, he observed.

Farmers can purchase seeds from all the Regional Research Stations, Seed Farms (Ladhowal, Naraingarh, Faridkot and Kapurthala), Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farmer Advisory Service Centres of the PAU throughout the week.