Herbicide-tolerant basmati rice varieties approved for cultivation

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), a part of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research, has made significant progress in developing herbicide-tolerant basmati rice varieties. Two rice varieties, PB 1979 and PB 1985, can be cultivated using the direct seeding of rice (DSR) method. 

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The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), affiliated with the Indian Council for Agricultural Research, has successfully developed herbicide-tolerant basmati rice varieties. Following the recent approval from the agriculture ministry, these innovative rice strains will soon be available for widespread commercial cultivation. This significant milestone marks the introduction of India’s first herbicide-tolerant rice varieties into the market.

Two rice varieties, PB 1979 and PB 1985, can be cultivated using the direct seeding of rice (DSR) method. This approach offers significant benefits such as reduced water usage and labor requirements. By adopting DSR, farmers can optimize resource utilization and achieve improved productivity when growing these specific rice varieties.

“We have submitted a dossier on the new rice varieties to the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee for allowing the use of herbicide, which had been prohibited in the rice cultivation,” Ashok Kumar Singh, director of the IARI.

The anticipated approval for herbicide usage in these rice varieties is imminent. The cultivation of these two rice strains will encourage the adoption of the DSR method, leading to significant benefits for farmers in water-scarce basmati rice growing areas such as Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh.

It is expected that by employing DSR, farmers will be able to reduce water consumption by 30%, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize labour expenses. This development holds great promise for sustainable agriculture in these regions.