New Rice Variety ‘Azad Basmati’ and Wheat‘Golden Halna’

State Variety Release Committee, Uttar Pradesh has released two new varieties, ‘Azad Basmati’ of rice and ‘Golden Halna’ of wheat for cultivation today. Developed by the Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur for high yield, the new varieties may give the farmers an edge over others and change their economic condition.

Rice variety ‘Azad Basmati (CSAR 839-3)’ is high yielder, mid early, awnless and resistant to bacterial blight, blast and BPH. Recommended for traditional and non- traditional Basmati growing areas, and developed by Rice Breeder Dr. Vijay Kumar Yadav, Ram Krishna & others of   CSAUA & T, Kanpur, it gave 23.6 % higher yield to National Check variety Pusa Basmati -1 on over all mean basis of the Regional Agricultural Training and Demonstration Station of Uttar Pradesh. On the zonal basis, it gave 41.31 %, 27.24%, 18.36% higher yields at Central Zone, Eastern Zone, and Western Zone, respectively. Suitable for irrigated and transplanting condition and it gave an average yield of 39.32 q./ha. It is a semi dwarf (95- 102 cm), five days early in maturity to Pusa Basmati-1 and 15 to 25 days early to other Basmati Varieties. The character Awnless will be useful for breeder seed production programme and monitoring activities. It has shown yield potential 40-60q/ha.

Wheat Variety Golden Halna (K0424 ) is a terminal heat tolerant variety developed by Wheat breeder Dr. L.P. Tiwari and others of   CSAUA&T, Kanpur. It has tolerance up to 36⁰C with yield potential of 40-45 quintal / ha. It matures in 90-110 days. The grain colour of this variety is golden bright and contains 12 to 12.5 % proteins. Good for Chapati making, it is found suitable for central and western part of U.P.