Punjab Agricultural University has also identified wild rice accession with high grain protein and genetic stocks with high iron content
Punjab, the granary of India, has come up with offerings of a bouquet of improved crop and vegetable varieties that are rich in nutrients and can make valuable contributions to the nutritional requirements of India’s population.
‘PAU 1 Chapatti’ with low polyphenols and outstanding processing qualities has been shortlisted for commercialisation whereas wheat candidate varieties having high grain protein, high zinc, low phytates, and high carotenoids have been developed.
Besides this, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has offered to growers two carotene-rich cherry tomato varieties called Punjab Sona and Punjab Kesar and two anthocyanin rich brinjal varieties called Punjab Raunak and Punjab Bharpoor with antioxidant properties.
PAU has also identified wild rice accession with high grain protein and genetic stocks with high iron content for breeding rice with enhanced nutritional value. High grain iron and zinc lines have been identified in interspecific crosses of chickpea.
The varieties and genetic stocks have been developed by the Punjab Agricultural University with support from the Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) grant provided by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. Besides varieties, a number of technologies for value-added products from nutritionally enhanced varieties of cereals, pulses and vegetables are on the cards.
The first phase of the project focussed on “Climate Change” induced abiotic stresses in the selected field and horticultural crops. It introduced a crop improvement strategy in wheat, rice, tomato and pepper to develop varieties with better adaptation to various stresses.
