Farm R&D unit develops 7 wheat strains

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has developed seven high-yielding wheat varieties, including one with high protein content, for domestic and overseas markets.

One variety, Pusa Gold (WR 544), was suitable for cultivation in the national capital region It had hard and lustrous grains with more than 12 per cent protein content suitable for international markets.

Besides, this variety delivered good yield when planted late in the season, IARI director S Nagarajan said while briefing newspersons on the forthcoming two-day farm fair-cum-horticultural show at the Pusa Institute on February 27-28. The theme of the fair would be crop diversification.

He said the wheat varieties generally grown in Punjab and neighbouring states had only 9 to 10 per cent protein. If the level could be raised to 12 per cent and more, the wheat could easily be sold abroad.

Talking about diversification of farming, Nagarajan said this was needed urgently in the agriculturally progressive north-western region, where the yields had also started stagnating, and in all other areas where the cropping pattern had remained unchanged for years.

IARI had developed technology for alternative crops, taking into account the needs and potential of different regions and importance of the crops from consumption, commercial and export point of view.

Bank representatives had been invited to the fair so that they could assess investment needs of farmers willing to go in for crop diversification.

Among the other six new wheat varieties, Amrita (HI-1500) had been released for cultivation under rainfed conditions of the central zone. Swarna (HI-1479) was ideal for timely sown conditions in Madhya Pradesh.

The Himgiri (HS 375) variety was for the northern Himalayan and Garhwal region. Grains of the Swarna strain were ideal for 'chapatis'.

Pusa scientists had improved strains of chickpea (gram), rapeseed-mustard, vegetables and fruits to deliver higher yield as well as superior quality.

In gram, the new varieties had very bold grains belonging to both desi and Kabuli types of gram. Attempts were on to reduce the pungency of mustard oil and improve yield.

In vegetables, technology had been perfected for off-season cultivation to ensure year-round availability of vegetables. Strains of exotic vegetables, such as brussels sprout, leek and broccoli, had been developed.

A new maize strain had been developed as well. It had the same nutritional value as skimmed milk and could be used as an ingredient in health foods. Called "opaque maize", the new variety contained nutrients generally missing in normal maize.

It would also be an ideal feed for poultry birds.