Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: The list of 35 improved crop varieties having special traits, released by the Prime Minister on Tuesday last to meet the challenges posed by climate change and malnutrition, also includes one rice variety developed by Dr Onkar Nath Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Birsa Agricultural University (BAU).
Suitable for aerobic rice ecology, this variety named CR Dhan-201 was developed by Dr Singh when he was Principal Scientist cum Head Division of Crop Improvement, ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack. This variety was released by the Central Variety Release Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Government of India in 2014 especially for Chhattisgarh and Bihar. However, it is useful for any region suffering from a lack of irrigation water.
BAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Singh informed that the variety was developed after 10 years of rigorous research, trials, experimentations and data verification. It is resistant or tolerant to major diseases of rice under field conditions. It has a yield potential of 5-6 tonnes per hectare. Production of one kg paddy generally requires 3000 to 5000 litres water but this variety CR dhan-201 requires only half of the water. It is very suitable for rainfed conditions of Jharkhand and yields high, the VC added.
The scientists and teachers of BAU are feeling proud of this scientific contribution of VC.
