Punjab Agricultural University’s (PAU) wheat variety PBW 826 has once again emerged as the country’s highest-yielding wheat variety, securing the top position in the All India Coordinated Varietal Trials (AICVT) for the 2024-25 crop season. The results, announced at All-India Wheat Research Workers Meeting held in Gwalior, reaffirmed PBW 826’s dominance across both the North Western Plains Zone (NWPZ) and North Eastern Plains Zone (NEPZ).
The NWPZ covers Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan (excluding certain divisions), Western Uttar Pradesh, parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The NEPZ includes Eastern UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, and the plains of the North Eastern states.
In trials conducted across seven states in the NWPZ, PBW 826 recorded an average yield of 65.7 quintals per hectare, outperforming leading varieties such as DBW 222 (64.4 q/ha) and HD 3386 (64.0 q/ha). In the NEPZ trials, spread across five states, it posted 53.6 q/ha, again ahead of competitors DBW 187 (51.6 q/ha) and HD 3086 (49.5 q/ha).
Released in 2022, PBW 826 has quickly gained popularity among farmers due to its high productivity, climate resilience, and moderate resistance to yellow and brown rust diseases. It now features among the top 10 most popular wheat varieties in India and occupies nearly 40% of Punjab’s wheat area. PAU officials estimate that the variety has brought fiscal benefits of nearly Rs 1,280 crore to Punjab farmers in the ongoing season alone.
“This is a proud moment for PAU. PBW 826 has shown consistent performance even under climatic challenges,” said PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal. Supporting this, Dr. AS Dhatt, Director of Research, noted that the variety’s quick adoption reflects strong farmer confidence, backed by rising national seed demand.
According to Dr. VS Sohu, Incharge of the Wheat Section at PAU, PBW 826 matures in about 148 days under irrigated timely sown conditions, has a shorter plant height of 100 cm, heavier grains, and higher hectolitre weight. Farmers report average yields of 24 quintals per acre, with some harvesting 26–28 quintals or even more.
According to PAU, with its exceptional yield, resilience, and widespread acceptance, PBW 826 is expected to further expand its coverage across wheat-growing states in the coming years.
