In Tamil Nadu every year, out of the 15 lakh hectares (ha) of rice cultivated during samba season an area of 3 to 5 lakh hectares gets affected by flood during the North East monsoon.
In particular, the flood-prone tail-end areas of delta districts and some of the coastal districts like Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam are often affected due to flood, and as a result very low rice production and productivity is recorded.
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Even though many high yielding improved rice varieties are available for cultivation, they suffer due to floods and continuous water stagnation.
If the stagnation of flood water remains for more than a week, the present day varieties are unable to tolerate and thereby yield levels are drastically affected.
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As this natural phenomenon is beyond human control, to overcome this problem, TNAU, Coimbatore has introduced Swarna Sub1, a rice variety that can resist floods and therefore will be a boon to these areas.
The new variety can tolerate 14-17 days of water stagnation during floods. It is ideal for growing under SRI conditions.
Submergence tolerance
The Swarna Sub 1 variety is similar to Swarna rice variety grown in eastern parts of the country in all characteristic features except submergence tolerance.
Popularization of Swarna Sub1 cum seed distribution campaigns were organized during July 2011 through the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of Thanjavur (Needamangalam) and Namakkal (Sikkal) districts. Seeds of Swarna Sub1 were distributed to around 100 farmers who cultivate rice in flood prone conditions.
For more details on this variety readers contact Dr. Robin, Professor & Head, Department of Rice, Mobile: 94422 24409.