AAU finds high-yield and aromatic variety of rice

Gujarat-based Anand Agriculture University (AAU) has developed a new variety of rice which is similar to ‘Basmati’ in aroma, and has double the yield compared to the national average of 2.5 tonnes per hectare.

Anand Agriculture University (AAU) Vice Chancellor M. C. Varshney told PTI, “The University has developed a new variety of aromatic rice called, GAR-1, which has shorter maturity period of 125-130 days and has double the yield as compared to the national average of 2.5 tonnes per hectare.”

According to Mr. Varshney the GAR-1 variety crop is expected to produce 5.5 tonnes per hectare. In the past the University has developed several high yielding varieties of rice including GR-12 and Gurjari, but GAR-1 is the only variety which has aroma similar to Basmati and superior grain quality.

Mr. Varshney said commercial seed production of GAR-1, developed through cross hybrid methodology at the Navagam research station in Kheda district, had begun and that its mass scale production would be from next year. GAR-1 is considered ideal for sowing in Central and South Gujarat.

“Neighbouring States like Madhya Pradesh and Maharasthra can benefit from this new invention, but they have to undertake research to develop a variant suitable to their agro-climatic conditions”, he said.

The paddy acreage in Gujarat is pegged between 7.5-8 lakh hectares of which nearly 50-60 per cent is under rain fed area, while only 40 per cent of it is under transplant rice sowing.

The yield from transplanted rice sown area is higher as compared to that from the rain fed area. If rice is transplanted between 22-28 days then yield results are best, he added.