ਝੋਨੇ ਦੀਆਂ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਿਲਾਂ ਦਾ ਹੱਲ HT Basmati PB1985, PB1979 ● Dr Ak Singh

#paddy #crop #farming #pusa #htbasmati #draksingh Dr ak singh, former director pusa Delhi The herbicide-tolerant (HT) Basmati varieties developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) are Pusa Basmati 1979 and Pusa Basmati 1985. These varieties are non-transgenic (non-GM) and are tolerant to the herbicide Imazethapyr. They were released for commercial cultivation in India in 2024, aiming to promote water-saving, direct-seeded rice cultivation and reduce the carbon footprint of farming. Key Characteristics: Tolerance: They are tolerant to Imazethapyr 10% SL, an herbicide that controls weeds. Non-Transgenic: These varieties are not genetically modified (non-GM) but are developed through conventional breeding techniques like marker-assisted breeding. Benefit: By tolerating herbicides, these varieties can be used in Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) cultivation, which helps in water conservation and reduces labor. Parentage: Pusa Basmati 1979: is a herbicide-tolerant near-isogenic line of Pusa Basmati 1121. Pusa Basmati 1985: is a herbicide-tolerant near-isogenic line of Pusa Basmati 1509. Release: Commercial cultivation was approved for these varieties in 2024. Significance: The introduction of these HT Basmati varieties represents a significant step towards a more sustainable agricultural system in India by supporting water-saving cultivation methods and reducing the reliance on other agrochemicals. pusa press note Pusa Basmati 1979 is a MAS derived herbicide tolerant near-isogenic line of Basmati rice variety “PB 1121” possessing mutated AHAS allele governing tolerance to Imazethapyr 10% SL with seed to seed maturity of 130-133 days and average yield of 45.77 q/ ha under irrigated transplanted condition across two years of testing in the National Basmati trials. Pusa Basmati 1985 is a MAS derived herbicide tolerant near-isogenic line of Basmati rice variety “PB 1509” possessing mutated AHAS allele governing Imazethapyr tolerance with seed-to-seed maturity of 115-120 days and average yield of 5.2 t/ha under irrigated transplanted condition across two years of testing in the National Basmati trials. He elaborated extensively on the package of practices tailored for these two rice varieties when cultivated under Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) method. He stressed the importance of adopting necessary precautions for effective weed management in these crops. Given their tolerance to the broad-spectrum herbicide Imazethapyr 10% SL, these varieties are poised to revolutionize weed control in DSR, thereby streamlining the cost of Basmati rice cultivation. Moreover, these varieties not only reduce the labour- intensive processes associated with weeding but also mitigate the environmental impact of traditional rice cultivation methods. This underscores their potential to contribute significantly to sustainable agriculture practices and the overall well-being of the agricultural ecosystem. Dr. P.K. Singh, Commissioner of Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, underscored the importance of these varieties and appreciated the contribution of IARI in bringing improvements in the varietal traits targeted towards saving water, increasing yield with better climate resilience. Dr. D.K. Yadav, ADG(Seeds) at ICAR in New Delhi, emphasized the boon these two Basmati rice varieties would represent for farmers in the Basmati GI area. He highlighted the paramount importance of seeds as the primary input for crop cultivation