Researchers develop paddy that endures floods

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Titabor, Assam, July 15 (UNI) Researchers have developed a new variety of paddy that could resist devastating floods upto fifteen days, claimed a scientist.

The new seeds dubded as 'flood-resistant' have already hit the fields with their submergence-tolerant quality and were giving satisfactory results in this flood prone state of Assam, Titabor-based Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) Chief Scientist Dr Tamizuddin Ahmed told UNI.

The new seedling can resist flash floods for upto 15 days.

Even if the paddy remains submerged for about a fortnight, the plant doesn't dies, The new variety has been classified into three categories, Jalashree, Jalkuwari, and Plavan.

''Every year floods have been ravaging crops in Assam. The new variety has capacity to endure submergence. It has been developed keeping in mind the river bank areas where croplands remain under water for several days,'' Dr Ahmed explained.

''The new variety has been created by crossing the internationally acclaimed submergence tolerant FR-13A variety and the Indian 'Pankaj''', he said. '' The conglomeration of qualities of both the varieties suits the Indian soil most,'' he added.

The RARS has already distributed 20 quintals of seedlings of the variety this year at a rate of Rs 14 per kilogram to growers across the state.

The chief scientist said the per hectare yield of the new variety could be around 40 quintals. The maturity period is around 150-160 days, and should be sown by June. While the state government has already recommended the variety to the farmers, the RARS has failed to meet the growing demands.

''We have cultivated the seed in just half a hectare of land owing to scarcity of space. The government sought seeds of the variety from us, but all the seeds were sold out to the farmers by May,'' Dr Ahmed said.

The RARS has also developed two other varieties of paddy which can be replanted as many as 60 days late.

''There have been instances when farmers have to put on hold the replantation of the developed seedlings, which had been uprooted and put in storage after the initial sowing. This deferment is either due to drought or flood, and if the wait is prolonged, the seedlings may die,'' the scientist said, adding that there are over 2 lakh hectares in Assam with such problems.

He said the new variety ''christened as Gitesh and Prafulla'' can be stored for 60 days without any damage or affect.

Around 20 quintals of the two new varieties have been distributed to farmers this year on trial basis. Besides he said, the RARS has cultivated the new variety in 15 hectares of land as 'frontline demonstration'.

''We have cultivated the paddy for farmers mainly to popularise the variety. We are providing the seed and fertilisers and guiding the farmers to cultivate the crop,'' he said.

The per hectare yield of this variety may go up to 45 quintals.

UNI

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