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High-yielding, drought-resistant rice variety for rainfed tracts
By Our Agriculture Correspondent
The new rice variety produces medium slender grains of good cooking quality.
CIENTISTS AT the Rice Research Station (RRS) of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) at Tirurkuppam, Tiruvallur district, have developed a drought-resistant variety with a high yielding potential, and it has been released for commercial cultivation by TNAU recently.
Christened `TKM (R) 12', the new short-duration rice variety is ideally suited for growing in `Samba season'. It is found to be moderately resistant to blast and brown spot diseases, and stem borer and leaf folder pests. It yields medium, slender white grains of good cooking quality and higher protein content (9.9 per cent), according to the scientists.
A derivative of a cross between TKM 9 and TKM 11, the drought-resistant variety is suitable for cultivating in uplands. It has an intermediate plant type when compared to its parent lines, and it has recorded an average yield of 3043 kg rice per hectare, which is 15 per cent higher than that of TKM 11 and 14 per cent more than that of PMK 2.
This variety is highly suitable for rainfed cultivation in Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi and Sivaganga districts. It is a semi-tall and non-lodging variety coming to maturity in 115 to 120 days. The variety was extensively field tested at RRS, Tirurkuppam for three years. The multi-location trials were conducted both in upland and semi-dry conditions for two years.
The adaptive research trials were conducted in 44 locations in five districts for two years, according to the scientists. This drought-tolerant variety excelled in all the field trials. In the RRS trials from 1995 to 1997, it recorded an average grain yield of 4110 kg per hectare in 117 days. Its yield was 40 per cent higher than that of PMK 2 and 44 per cent more than that of PMK 1. The non-shattering variety did well under direct seeding condition with a seed rate of 100 kg per hectare, according to the scientists. Under upland conditions, it registered its superiority over all the ruling varieties. Under favourable conditions, it recorded a high yield of 10, 025 kg per hectare. It has withstood drought and showed quick recovery immediately after the rains. Its average straw yield potential of 3500 kg per hectare is considered a boon for the rainfed farmers.
This variety is found suitable for rainfed direct seeding in July-August, and sowing in August-September in all recommended districts.
In the upland cultivation, any drought-tolerant variety with an ability for quick rejuvenation and high yield potential, will be the most preferred one, and this new variety endowed with these desirable features will go a long way in fulfilling the long-felt needs of the rainfed farmers.It will also contribute significantly to stabilise the output of rainfed rice in these belts.
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