Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has developed Pusa Basmati 1718 seed variety to fight certain diseases that affect the yield. As per reports by experts of the institute, this seed was developed by genetically modifying the popular Pusa 1121 Basmati variety and adding additional genes to the seed to counter certain diseases.
Disease Fighting Seed
Pusa 1718 has genes to fight the leaf blight disease (Jhanda Rog) that has been affecting popular seeds like Pusa Basmati 1121, Pusa-1401 and PB-1 varieties. Farmers spray the fungicide Tricyclazole to tackle blight disease that leaves pesticide residue on the final rice after milling process. Many Basmati Rice shipments to Europe have been rejected since EU have limited the pesticide residue limits on Rice. Farmers are unable to grow Pusa 1401 and Pusa 1121 varieties without using pesticide and basmati rice exporters to Europe are in a dilemma. Pusa 1718 seed might be a solution to the pesticide residue problem in future.
Shorter Paddy Length
Flattening of crops during rains, hailstorms and strong winds has been troubling many paddy-growing farmers during monsoon season. Owing to PB 1718 variety’s shorter length, it can prevent crop flattening thereby preventing damage of crop during rainy season.
Higher Yield
Experts also suggest that the variety will generate more yield than popular basmati varieties such as 1121. As per reports, 1 acre of land would fetch 17-18 quintals yield compared to 14 quintals fetched by Pusa 1121. The 1718 seed also takes lesser time to ripe (145 days) as compared to Pusa 1121 (160 days).
Many farmers in Punjab have bought the PB 1718 seed during the Kisan Mela held in March by the Punjab Agricultural University. Agricultural department of Punjab has been continuously educating the farmers about the benefits of the new seeds. Industry traders expect this crop to be a hit during the coming harvest season in October. Fixed quantity of the Pusa 1718 seed sold to the farmers for this year’s harvest. In conclusion, if the results are up to the mark we can expect this variety to be a hit like Pusa 1121.