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New varieties of Basmati rice seeds

25 Oct 2022 New varieties of Basmati rice seeds

Posted at 15:05h in Daily current-affairs by
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Source: The Hindu

News: New five paddy seeds developed by  IARI in 2020 and 2021 can resist diseases and herbicides.

Initially, out of  five, three varieties can resist two common fungal and bacterial diseases of paddy while in the case of the other two seeds Direct Sowing of Rice (DSR) method is used to raise them that saves 35% of water. 

  • Qualities of Basmati rice: It is known for its mouthfeel, aroma and  length of the grain.
  • Seven states are major Basmati Rice producing states that is Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
  • These states want a Geographical Indication tag for Basmati Rice.
  • Major diseases affecting traditional varieties are bacterial leaf blight (BLB) and blast (leaf and collar) diseases caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. 
  • High levels of pesticides and fungicides used  to tackle these diseases increased the permitted residue levels required in developed countries.
  • Market of Basmati rice: India exports  75% of its Basmati rice to  West Asian countries. India also imports Basmati rice to  European Union countries.

Process use to develop these varieties:

  • First step: Mutation breeding through Ethyl Methanesulfonate (EMS) chemical. This chemical helps to identify plant variants that survive herbicide application.
  • Release of non-genetically modified herbicide-tolerant seed to farmers on an experimental basis.
  • Submission of application to the Central Insecticide Board’s registration committee for expansion of label claim to this variety.
  • Recent trials prove effective weed control, excellent cooking quality and absence of herbicides.

Impact of this development

  • Landmark achievement as this revolution is 100% indigenous that used indigenous breeding programmes.
  • Major impact is an increase in farmers’ income through reduction in cost of cultivation or farming by ₹3,000 per acre.
  • It will improve production by realising the price of  labour and input cost. 
  • It will reduce the use of pesticides and water as farmers need not use pesticides.
  • Better prices of production in case production is free from residue.
  • Efficient control of weeds: as these seeds are resistant to disease and herbicides. All Pusa Basmati varieties consist of four genes, two to resist BLB and two to resist blast disease.
  • Enhanced Export: Huge abroad Basmati market currently brings about ₹30,000 crore foreign exchange every year. New development has potential to further enhance the value of export.
  • Decrease in pesticide residue levels will help India to export Basmati rice to the European Union(EU ) as there is no pesticide residue.Hence,no rejection  of Indian consignments. 
  • Increase in production through effective disease control. 
  • Application of direct sowing of rice (DSR) increases water saving by 35% and hence reduction in greenhouse gas emission.

Article: Five new varieties to expand India’s Basmati platter

Article Link:

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agriculture/five-new-paddy-seeds-to-revolutionise-basmati-cultivation-in-the-country/article66045795.ece

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