“Anna (R) 4”, a new drought-resistant paddy variety
developed and released by Parakamudi-based Agriculture Research Station a
couple of years ago, is all set to receive certified seed tag as the Seed
Certification Department has successfully developed foundation seeds of the
variety, The Hindu reports.
After scientists at the research station developed
nuclear seeds of the high-yielding short-duration crop which is best suited for
drought-prone Ramanathapuram district, the variety was raised in breeder seed
farms last year, and developed as foundation seeds this year and linked in the
seed chain.
“It has crossed crucial phases to be raised as
foundation seed and it will be raised on about 100 hectares next year to be
tagged as certified seeds,” said Assistant Director of Seed Certification SS
Shaiek Abdullah.
P Ramakrishnan, a progressive farmer, raised the
foundation seeds on two acres at his farm in N Valayanendal in Paramakudi block
under the supervision of Seed Certification Department officials.
Mr Abdullah said the department would procure the
entire quantity of paddy (seeds) – about five tonnes. After standardisation,
the seeds would be distributed to farmers as foundation seeds during 2015-16
for producing certified seeds, he said.
“Anna (R) 4 is a white, long, slender rice, weighing
25.7 grams per 1000 grains. It is expected to do well in the market,” Mr
Abdullah said.
It would become an alternative to the existing
short-duration (105 days) crops such as IR 36 and ADT 36, which were released
in 1982.
Besides, farmers are cultivating superfine paddy
varieties NLR 34449 and BPT 5404 in Tiruvadanai and RS Mangalam blocks, he added.
Read the article HERE.
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