The Indian Institute of Pulses Research has developed a new variety of red lentil (masoor dal) seed — WBL 77, which can increase the yield by about 20 per cent.
One of the main characteristics of WBL77 is the size of the seed that is smaller than the presently available varieties, according to Masood Ali, director of the Kanpur-based Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR).
The normal productivity of masoor is 15-16 quintal per hectare and with WBL 77 the yield can be about 18 quintal. He also said the new variety was good for those regions where there was late sowing of paddy.
