2 salinity tolerant varieties of T-Aman paddy soon
Two salinity tolerant varieties of T-Aman paddy innovated by Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) are expected to be released very soon.
Administration Director of the BRRI Dr AKG Md Enamul Haque told BSS yesterday that the varieties BRRI-53 and BRRI-54 might be released within a month or two.
He said field level evaluations of the BRRI and Seed Certification Agency have been completed successfully and the varieties will be placed at the National Seed Board (NSB) for final approval to be cultivated at farmer's level.
The BRRI had earlier developed two salinity tolerant varieties, BRRI-40 and BRRI-41, said Dr Enamul adding that the lifetime of the latest varieties is two weeks less than that of the previous ones.
He said production rate, salinity tolerant capacity and other characteristics of the new varieties are identical with the earlier varieties.
The immediate past director for research of BRRI Dr MA Salam said the production rate of BRRI-40 and BRRI-41 is 4.5 tonnes per hectare with a lifetime of 145 and 148 days, he added.
Dr Salam said farmers of the costal region are losing interest to cultivate existing varieties because of their long lifespan. They do not get enough time for shrimp cultivation after the harvest. BRRI has developed the two varieties with that in mind, he added.
Adding this as a step forward in the history of the country's innovated salinity tolerant varieties, Dr salam said farmers could minimise losses as the new varieties are less vulnerable to natural calamities due to short lifespan.
He said the varieties are expected to contribute significantly to boost Aman production ensuring further food security in the country.
Dr Salam said, “We expect the latest BRRI varieties would gain popularity among the farmers because of its short lifetime.”
BRRI sources said the country's coastal region has nearly 10 lakh hectares for paddy cultivation.
They said the newly developed salinity tolerant varieties of Aman paddy would greatly help to bring this tract of land under cultivation to give a boost to rice production.
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