New rice strain sets benchmark for yield, efficiency: PAU
Amid the paddy sowing season, experts at Punjab Agricultural University's (PAU) have flagged the popularity and acceptance of rice variety PR 126 among Punjab farmers.
PAU experts noted that 43% of the state's rice area was covered with cultivation of PR 126 in 2024. Developed by PAU and released in 2017, PR 126 addresses major challenges like falling water tables, pest management, and milling quality demands.
This variety requires significantly less water and produces lower straw load compared to traditional varieties. Its short duration—maturing in 93 days—enables farmers to save 3-4 weeks in the crop cycle, providing a wider window for wheat sowing. The variety's early maturity also helps it avoid major pest and disease attacks, reducing production costs and improving profitability.
A survey conducted during the 2024 Kharif season revealed yields ranging from 25 to 37.2 quintals per acre. Higher yields, between 29 and 37.2 quintals, were recorded when farmers adhered to PAU's recommended practices: nursery sowing in late May to early June and transplanting 25-30 day-old seedlings from late June to mid-July. Transplanting beyond mid-July, especially after summer maize, led to reduced yield, increased grain moisture, and poor milling quality.
PAU trials confirm that transplanting seedlings older than 30 days causes a significant yield drop—up to 18.9% for 45-day-old seedlings. Quality parameters for procurement, as defined by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), include grain moisture below 17%, low admixture, and minimal damaged grains. PR 126 consistently meets these standards.
Experts emphasise that transplanting PR 126 beyond July 15 is inadvisable due to the risk of lower yield and compromised grain quality. Adherence to PAU's guidelines on seedling age and transplanting timing remains crucial for maximizing the variety's potential.
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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Indian Express
Why PAU is reassessing PR-126 variety nine years after introduction: ‘timing holds the key'
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) recently released a survey report on different sowing timings for the PR-126 rice variety from June to August to inform farmers how these varying sowing periods affect the yield, moisture level and the milling out-turn ratio (OTR) of this variety. After 'conducting all required tests and trials', PAU introduced this variety in Punjab in 2016. Considered one of the PAU's best paddy varieties so far in terms of short duration, good yield, resistance to pests and consistently desirable OTR, among other qualities, a large area under rice cultivation in the state is producing this variety. However, ahead of the paddy transplanting season in Punjab in June, PAU undertook a fresh survey on the performance of this variety — why? That too, after nine years, given a large area in Punjab, is already producing PR-126 variety. The Indian Express explains: Paddy is an extremely water-intensive crop, and despite a severe groundwater crisis in Punjab, the area under paddy cultivation has been increasing every passing year. Last year, the state recorded the highest 32.44 lakh hectares under paddy cultivation, producing different varieties, ranging from short to medium to long-duration types. In such a scenario, shifting to shorter-duration paddy varieties is one of the best options to conserve water. That's how the PR-126 variety comes in. After its introduction in 2016, this variety quickly gained popularity among farmers due to its shorter growth period, high yield (over 30 quintals per acre), minimal pesticide requirements and excellent OTR. PR-126 matures in just 93 days after a 25 to 30 days of transplantation, using less water, producing less straw (making residue management easier), and providing a longer gap between rice harvesting and wheat sowing. This is also resistant to major pests and diseases, reducing the input cost significantly. In 2023, PR-126 was cultivated over approximately 8.59 lakh hectares, almost 33 per cent of the total area under non-Basmati paddy cultivation in Punjab. This increased to 43 per cent this year. Additionally, PAU sold around 7,500 quintals of PR-126 seeds this year, in addition to seeds saved by farmers and produced by several paddy seed breeders in the state. Last year, rice millers raised a large hue and cry about the procurement of PR-126 and several high-yield (up to 36 to 38 quintals per acre) hybrid paddy varieties by the government. They refused to store itin their mills, claiming the OTR of this variety did not meet the specifications of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) set at a minimum of 67 per cent, and alower OTR means they will have to pay from their pockets to the FCI. Procurement is carried out by the government or private agencies based on FCI's specifications. The major parameters for purchase at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) include — grain moisture content not exceeding 17 per cent, and mixture of lower-class grains not more than 6 per cent, damaged, discoloured, sprouted, or weevilled grains should not be above 5 per cent and immature, shrunken or shrivelled grains should not more than 3 per cent. PAU strongly argued that it releases any new variety after rigorous testing for three years on all possible parameters, including yield, OTR, and pest resistance. However, millers remained adamant and refused to store PR-126 and several other hybrid paddy varieties, citing low OTR. Later, the government intervened and millers stored it. Thus, PAU initiated this survey to dispel this notion and demonstrate the variety's relevance and profitability for farmers and the environment. Recently, issues related to inconsistent yields, high grain moisture, and milling quality surfaced, especially when PR-126 is transplanted too early or too late, or when aged seedlings are used. According to the survey, out of the 43% area covered by PR-126 during Kharif 2024, a sizeable portion was transplanted very late (from the second fortnight of July to August 10). This area was typically transplanted after summer maize—a practice PAU does not advocate. The very late transplanting resulted in issues with yield, grain moisture content, and milling quality. Key findings from the survey reveal that PR-126 performs best when transplanted between June 25 and July 15, using 25–30-day-old seedlings, as very early and very late transplantation led to yield reduction. Aged seedlings (35-45 days) can reduce yield by 7.8 per cent to 18.9 per cent. After July 15, yield, grain quality and milling recovery begin to decline. As a result, PAU is advising farmers to transplant PR-126 between late June and mid-July, use 25–30-day-old seedlings, avoid very late transplanting (after July 15), and ensure proper drying and handling for better grain quality to maximise productivity. Is case of banned hybrid varieties in Punjab similar to PR-126? Like PR-126, the notified hybrid paddy varieties — also cultivated in Punjab for several years — have been blamed for low OTR last year only. Experts from the seed industry suggest that harvest moisture content, rather than the seed variety, may be a key factor affecting milling outcomes. 'Optimal milling requires grain to be harvested with 22-23 per cent moisture, dried to 16-17 per cent for procurement, and milled at 13-14 per cent,' they explain. Delayed procurement, often due to bad weather conditions from late sowing and logistical bottlenecks, can lead to excessive field drying, causing grain breakage and lowering OTR regardless of the variety.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Nature's gold rush: PAU walkway lit by Amaltas bloom
Ludhiana: Poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi, in his celebrated work 'Loona', wrote: "Eh rukh jo amaltas de, peela maaran bha, eon jaapan gagan khudhalie joen sona pighal gya, ya dharat kudi de kann da koi bunda dig pya. ..(These trees of amaltas, swathed in yellow, appear as though molten gold has spilled from the skies, or a jewel has fallen from the ear of a girl of the earth)" Right now, the amaltas trees — Cassia fistula — are in full bloom, painting the landscape in radiant shades of yellow. At the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), the lane lined with these trees is shimmering with a golden glow. Their long, arching branches are heavy with cascading clusters of blossoms. The flowers fall like golden rain, softly carpeting the ground beneath in a luminous yellow blanket. The lane before the one leading to the Museum of Social History has transformed into a sight of yellow gold making passersby stop by or slow down to devour the beauty. Rows of Amaltas trees on the land named after the tree, Amaltas Marg, also paint the scene with the delightful yellow gleams. The trees can also be spotted at other places on the campus. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Mandeep Kaur, a student, said, "It's like the trees decided to celebrate something," she says. Students were seen walking by and clicking photos and selfies clicked. Others were sitting quietly, overwhelmed by the peacefulness. "Though I don't come up to this far during my evening walk in the university, but during this time of the year, I don't miss soaking in and embracing the spectacle unleashed by nature," Komalpreet, a resident said. "I would say that municipal corporation should also plant these trees across several lanes so that during this time of the year, people can enjoy the beauty of these trees," she added. By June, the flowers will fall, the green will return, and the 'golden lane' will rest again, a staff member at the university said. One of the students taking selfies in the yellow backdrop said, "During March-April spring my sister studying in Canada sends her pictures of cherry blossoms trees and during this time, I send her pictures of Amaltas." Environmentalist Brij Mohan Bhardwaj, who is a horticulture expert and has conducted tree cover surveys says, most of the trees including those of Amaltas were planted under the guidance of M S Randhawa, former vice-chancellor at PAU. It was his vision, and several lanes were named after trees including the Amaltas Marg, he said. Prior to that, Randhawa was the first administrator of Chandigarh, he played a crucial role in the city's landscaping and selection of trees. A road with the same name Amaltas Marg lined with Amaltas trees in Chandigarh, was likely, named so in his guidance. Amaltas, also known as Golden Shower or Indian Laburnum, is a deciduous tree native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is a popular tree in India, known for its beautiful yellow flowers and its use in traditional medicine. Amaltas is a moderate-sized tree, typically reaching 9-10 meters in height.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Paddy sowing kicks off in five districts of Punjab's Malwa belt
Paddy sowing began in five districts of Punjab's Malwa belt --Faridkot, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Muktsar and Fazilka -- on Sunday, June 1, in keeping with the early schedule for transplantation notified by the state government last week. Though agriculture department officials could not readily provide data on how much area was covered on the first day, an official said that 'farmers are enthusiastic about the early schedule'. The crop, this season, is expected to be grown over more than 31 lakh hectares (76 lakh acres). The water guzzling crop has seen an increase in area by 2 lakh hectares in the last three years. In March, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, has sent recommendations to the state government for starting transplantation in Muktsar, Faridkot, Mansa, Bathinda, Ferozepur, and Fazilka from June 20. As per the advisory, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Roopnagar, SAS Nagar, and Fatehgarh Sahib districts were to start from June 23 and Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, SBS Nagar, Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Moga, Patiala, Sangrur and Barnala were to start from June 26. This was suggested to conserve subsoil water which is fast depleting, especially given the weather conditions in June. However, to appease the farmers, the transplantation schedule was pushed back. The state decided to allow transplantation in Faridkot, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Muktsar and Fazilka from June 1, in Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Hoshiarpur from June 5 and in Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar from June 9. Direct seeding of rice (DSR) is permitted statewide from May 15 to 31 but the government has not received very encouraging results for this method. Contrary to the state agriculture department's observation that there is enthusiasm among farmers for early sowing, the PAU has said that farmers have understood the benefits of late sowing of paddy. 'There are short-duration varieties developed by PAU available and the start of transplantation of paddy coinciding with the start of monsoon is a best practice for better quality and crop,' varsity officials said. Officials in the state agriculture department said many farmers still prefer the cultivation of the long-duration, water-guzzling PUSA 44 and PR 126 varieties, despite bans and advisories against their use. PUSA44 gives higher yield out turn ratio (OTR) and is preferred by the rice millers.
