STAFF REPORT ISB: The PARC HAS approved eleven new high-yielding rice varieties including seven hybrid and four Open-Pollinated (OP) seed for cultivation in various ecologies.
The Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) on Rice was held here at PARC headquarters under the chairmanship of Member Plant Sciences Division, Dr. Muhammad Shahid Masood.
In total nineteen rice varieties were presented before the VEC including 14 hybrid and 5 OP varieties, out of which 11 were approved and 8 rejected due to Bacterial-Leaf-Blight (BLB) disease susceptibility.
Details show that the hybrid varieties approved by the VEC have yield potential up to 92 mound per acre whereas the OP rice varieties have potential to produce much yield than the existing IRRI-6 and KSK-133 varieties.
The OP varieties have been developed from the Green Super Rice (GSR) germplasm and they have high yield potential and also submergence.
“With the addition of new recommended hybrids of rice in the national system of the country, it is expected that there will be a significant improvement in rice production in Pakistan,” said Dr. Shahid Masood Chairman VET.
He appreciated the role of stakeholders for taking interest in rice research and development and working in close collaboration with the public sector.