PAU’s PBW 826, 872 and 833 emerge as country’s high-yielding wheat varieties

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has once again made its mark on the national stage, with three of its wheat varieties — PBW 826, PBW 872 and PBW 833 — emerging as top performers in grain yield across India.The results, announced at the All India Wheat Research Workers Meeting held in Gwalior, reaffirm PAU’s leadership in crop innovation and farmer-focused research.The trials were conducted under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, wherein the best candidate varieties developed by various wheat-breeding programmes across the country, including ICAR research institutes, 29 state agricultural universities from all over India and even private sector companies, are nominated, evaluated for three years and subsequently released.In “Irrigated Timely Sown Category”, PBW 826 ranked first for grain yield across both North Western Plains Zone (NWPZ) and North Eastern Plains Zone (NEPZ), recording an average of 65.7 q/ha in the NWPZ and 53.6 q/ha in the NEPZ. It outperformed popular varieties like DBW 222, HD 3386, and HD 3086. Already released in 2022, PBW 826 now occupies nearly 40% of Punjab’s wheat area.

“PBW 826 continues to set benchmarks in productivity and adaptability,” said PAU Vice Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal. “Its consistent performance across zones reflects the strength of our breeding programme and its relevance to farmers’ needs.”

‘In Early Sown High Input Category’, PBW 872, another PAU-developed variety, topped the trials in the NWPZ, with an impressive average yield of 79.6 q/ha. It surpassed competitors like DBW 327 DBW 187 and DBW 371. Though initially tested under high input conditions, the PAU has since validated its performance under normal fertiliser doses, leading to its release in Punjab in 2025.

“While PBW 872 excels under intensive management, we’ve ensured it performs well under recommended practices too,” Dr Gosal added. “Our focus remains on sustainable productivity.”

In the ‘late-sown category’, PBW 833 was included as a check variety in the advanced varietal trial for late-sown conditions of the NEPZ, recording 45.7 q/ha — outperforming DBW 107 and HD 3118. This variety is, however, not suitable for Punjab and is generally grown in states like West Bengal, Bihar and UP, said Dr Virinder Singh Sohu, principal wheat breeder.

With seeds of PBW 872 available at the upcoming kisan mela, the PAU’s high-yielding varieties are expected to be a major draw for farmers looking to boost their returns.