NEWS – The zonal agricultural research centre under the canopy of University of Agricultural Sciences-Bangalore, located at VC Farm in Mandya taluk, has conducted a significant research by cultivating 11,290 varieties of paddy at one place.

HIGHLIGHTS

Diverse Varieties of Paddy Grown

• Local Varieties: Includes unique types like Karichippiga, Gowri Sanna, Gidda Bangaracovi, Parimala Sanna, Jeerige Sanna, Siddasale, and Nandi.
• Varieties from Other States: Popular paddy types such as Ambemohar, Kalajeera, Kalanamak, and Mappillai Samba.

Research Objectives and Goals

• Key Objectives:
  • To understand the characteristics and resilience of these varieties.
  • To test resistance to pests and diseases.
• Preservation of Local Varieties:
  • Addressing the decline in indigenous varieties due to the focus on high-yield crops post-Green Revolution.
  • National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi, takes on the responsibility of preserving these varieties by collecting and storing them.

Government Initiatives and Program Support

• Department of Biotechnology, Government of India: Initiated a program focused on:
  • Developing improved crop varieties with higher yield and disease resistance.
  • Conservation of indigenous varieties and studying their genetic traits.
• Collaboration with Agricultural Bodies:
  • Fourteen agricultural research organizations and state agricultural universities are involved in this program.

Key Areas of Study

• Characteristics Analysis:
  • Examining the distinctive traits of over 11,000 rice varieties.
• Disease Resistance and Stability:
  • Testing resilience against various diseases to identify stable traits.
  • Transferring beneficial traits to create improved varieties.

Significance of the Research

• Biodiversity Preservation: Helps in conserving the genetic diversity of rice.
• Development of Disease-Resistant Crops: By studying useful genetic traits, scientists can transfer these traits to new, high-yielding varieties.
• Sustainability in Agriculture: The research paves the way for sustainable farming practices by promoting resilient local varieties over high-yield hybrids.