New Varieties of Paddy and Faba Bean Notified
PATNA: The State Variety Release Committee, under the Chairmanship of Sri Vijay Prakash, Agriculture Production Commissioner, Govt. of Bihar, has notified a new Paddy variety (“Swarna Shreya”) and two new Faba Bean varieties (“Swarna Surakhsha” and “Swarna Gaurav”) for cultivation in Bihar state. These varieties are developed by ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna.
Paddy variety “Swarna Shreya” is suitable for rainfed low land and direct seeded aerobic condition with maturity period of 120-125 days. It has capacity to withstand drought and also tolerance to certain diseases and insects. Average productivity of this variety is 4.5 to 5.0 t/ha.
Faba Bean variety “Swarna Surakhsha” has been developed mainly for the rainfed situation under Bihar agro-climatic condition. The average productivity has been recorded 2.5 to 3.1 t/ha which is 40 % more over the test check variety i.e. Vikrant. This variety is also rich in minerals like iron, manganese and zinc as compared to check variety “Vikrant”. It has low content of anti-nutritional factors like tannin and phytate. This variety is of medium duration, matures in 115-120 days, whereas the check variety takes 130-135 days. This variety is moderately resistant to major insect pests and diseases.
Another faba bean variety “Swarna Gaurav” has been developed for the assured irrigation and intercropping situation. Under Bihar agro-climatic conditions, the average productivity has been recorded 4.0 to 4.6 t/ha and 2.0 to 2.6 t/ha under mono and intercropping system, respectively. It has recorded 36 % advantage over the test check variety i.e. Vikrant. The variety is also rich in minerals like iron, manganese and zinc as compared to check variety Vikrant. The major breakthrough is the staggering low content of anti-nutritional factors like tannin and phytate. This variety is of medium duration, matures in 120-125 days, whereas the check variety takes 130-135 days. This variety is also moderately resistant to major insect pests and diseases.