The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has launched a novel rice variety appropriate for sodic soil conditions developed by the Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute (ADACRI) in Navalur Kuttapattu in Tiruchi.
The new short duration variety, TRY 5, was determined to be superior than TRY 2, the college's existing early duration variety appropriate for salt damaged soil, which was released in 2002, according to P. Masilamani, Dean, ADACRI. TRY 3 and TRY 4, which were medium duration varieties, were also released by the college.
Dr. Masilamani emphasized that selecting an appropriate variety played a critical role in getting good yield, especially in problematic soils. During kuruvai and navarai seasons, farmers were producing short-duration varieties that were unsuitable for salt-affected tracts. There was a need to develop a short duration variety which would also be of good cooking quality.
"In addition, farmers only get seeds at subsidized rates for varieties that have been notified within the last ten years.
There was a need to come up a new variety because they could no longer receive subsidized seeds for TRY 2," Dr. Masilamani stated.
To meet farmers' requirements, ADACRI's Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics has begun research on generating a short period sodicity tolerant and high yielding rice variety, he added.
Following mutation breeding, the promising rice variety TRY 5 was produced, which is well adapted for Tamil Nadu's kuruvai / navarai seasons. The crop matures in 110-115 days, with an average grain yield of 5100 kg per hectare (ha) and 12.64% grain yield advantage over TRY 2. The variety is resistant to blast and brown leaf spot diseases, as well as pests including brown plant hopper, green leaf hopper, and white backed plant hopper.
"The rice is long and slender. This variety's cooked rice is non-sticky, soft, and flavorful, making it perfect for batter. The variety has been approved by Tamil Nadu State Variety Release Committee, following which the TNAU released it as a Pongal gift,” Dr.Masilamani said.
