The variety resists the attack of all the 10 presently prevalent pathotypes of bacterial blight pathogen in the state

The State Variety Approval Committee in Punjab has approved ‘PR 130’ variety of parmal rice for cultivation in the state. The Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana has developed ‘PR 130’ variety of rice by crossing the most popular variety PR 121 with HKR 47.

Highlighting its salient characteristics, Dr Gurjit Singh Mangat, Additional Director of Research (Crop Improvement), said, “It is a mid-maturing, lodging tolerant, bacterial blight resistant variety with better milling quality characteristics. It matures in about 105 days after transplanting. It possesses long slender clear translucent grains with high total and head rice recoveries. The variety resists the attack of all the 10 presently prevalent pathotypes of bacterial blight pathogen in Punjab. The average paddy yield of this variety is 30.0 quintals per acre.”

This variety will prove very beneficial to the pea and potato growers on account of its higher paddy yield, shorter maturity period and disease resistance and the traders due to its excellent milling quality characteristics, he observed. The PAU has produced a large quantity of seeds of this variety, which is available at its Research Stations; Seed Farms located at Ladhowal, Naraingarh (Fatehgarh Sahib), Nabha and Kapurthala; Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farmer Advisory Service Centres of PAU, he informed.

Dr Mangat further stated that those farmers who were growing PR 121 and HKR 47 should opt for PR 130 variety. The ideal time for nursery sowing of PR 130 is May 20 to May 31.