ICAR develops first hybrid of Indian mustard

New Delhi, Aug 28 (UNI)The Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR)has developed a hybrid of Indian mustard, named NCR Sankar sarson (NRCHB506) through 'heterosis breeding' and gene manipulation.

The hybrid mustard has shown superiority for oil yield by a margin of 20 per cent over the existing popular varieties of Maya and Varuna during 11 trials across 5 states.

According to Dr K N Singh, senior scientist and key breeder, the new hybrid variety has been developed for release primarily to Rajasthann and UP.

The hybrid is of medium maturity duration of 133 days, medium tall of 190 cms and has 40.8 per cent highoil content.

Another hybrid namely DMH 1 developed by Dhara Vegetable Oil and Food Company was idfentified for release in Punjab,Haryana and parts of Rajasthan.

Besides, six varieities including four of mustard-- LES -1-27, RGN-145, NRCHB-101 , ONK-1 and yellow sarson- YSH-0401 have been identified to be released for cultivation in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

Rapeseed-Mustard is an imporatnt oilseed crop commodity, grown on an area 6.69 million hectares.

UNI/JSS KK HT1742