PAU recommends 12 paddy varieties this kharif season

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has recommended 12 short-to-medium duration rice varieties for the upcoming kharif season, which farmers can choose according to their local conditions and suitability under the cropping system and management practices.

The PR 132 variety of rice recommended by the university can prove to be a game changer for the coming season, as it is economically viable and requires 25% less urea than other varieties.

“For the current season, the PAU has recommended a new rice variety, PR 132. It yields best with 75% of the usual dose of urea. The excess application of urea may result in lower yield owing to lodging. It is a non-basmati variety and has the maximum yield of all other varieties,” said Vice-Chancellor Dr SS Gosal.

Experts have calculated the average yield of PR 132 at 31.5 quintals per acre. Trials showed that a record yield and higher rice recovery from the paddy offered solutions to farmers and millers. The taste of the new variety is also better.

Meanwhile, different varieties have varying maturity duration, which is helpful in staggering the sowing and transplanting window, thereby providing relief in the light of labour availability.

The PAU has established 35 seed sale centres across the state. Farmers were advised to grow these resource-conserving, high-yielding, eco-friendly varieties, added Dr Gosal.