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The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed two new rice varieties using genome editing. This is a major achievement, as India is the first country to create such rice varieties.

New Rice Varieties

DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala):

• Origin: Scientists create this variety by improving Samba Mahsuri (BPT5204), a popular high-yielding rice grown across India.
• Key Features:
• It matures 15–20 days faster than Samba Mahsuri, taking about 130 days from seed to harvest.
• It produces 25% more yield, giving around 5.37 tonnes per hectare compared to 4.5 tonnes for Samba Mahsuri. Under ideal conditions, it can yield up to 9 tonnes per hectare.
• Each panicle (the part of the plant holding grains) produces 450–500 more grains than the original.
• It uses water and minerals efficiently, making it climate-friendly.
• It tolerates higher temperatures and suits direct seeding (sowing seeds directly in fields instead of transplanting seedlings).
• Farmers can cultivate it in major rice-growing states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Pusa DST Rice 1:

• Origin: Scientists develop this variety from MTU1010 (Cottondora Sannalu), another widely used rice variety.
• Key Features:
• It resists salinity (salt in soil) and alkalinity, which harm crops in certain regions.
• In areas with average salinity, it yields 9.66% more than MTU1010. In alkaline soils, it gives 14.66% more yield. Under high salinity stress, it boosts yield by 30.36%.
• It adapts to tough soil conditions, ensuring stable production.
• It suits most of the same states as DRR Dhan 100, focusing on areas with saline or alkaline soils.

Significance

Higher Yields:

• ICAR estimates that growing these varieties on 5 million hectares will produce an extra 4.5 million tonnes of paddy => Boosts food supply for the growing population.
• Higher yields mean farmers earn more, supporting the government’s goal to double farmers’ income.

Climate Resilience:

• The varieties tolerate drought, salinity, and high temperatures, which are increasing due to climate change.
• DRR Dhan 100 uses water efficiently, saving 7,500 million cubic meters of irrigation water across 5 million hectares. This water can irrigate other crops.
• They reduce greenhouse gas emissions (like methane) by 20%, or 32,000 tonnes, making rice farming greener.

Cost Savings:

Early maturity (15–20 days less) reduces labor, water, and energy costs. Farmers spend less on inputs, lowering production costs.

Must Read Articles: 

PUSA-2090 and PUSA 44 Rice Varieties 

Rice Fortification Initiatives in India 

ICAR: Promoting Agricultural Research & Development  

Source: 

THE HINDU