Paddy Crop Varieties: An Overview of PR-106, HKR-120, HKR-126, HKR-127, HKR-46, HKR-47, IR-64
Paddy or rice is one of the most important cereal crops and serves as a staple food for millions of people around the world. It is grown in almost all countries and regions, with Asia being the largest producer and consumer. To meet the growing demand for rice, farmers have been adopting new crop varieties that are more resistant to pests and diseases, have higher yield potential, and are adaptable to various environments and soil conditions. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the popular paddy crop varieties, including PR-106, HKR-120, HKR-126, HKR-127, HKR-46, HKR-47, and IR-64.
PR-106: This is a high-yielding semi-dwarf variety developed by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and released in 2001. It is known for its excellent grain quality, good resistance to lodging and blast disease, and shorter growth duration of 115-120 days. PR-106 is suitable for rainfed lowland and irrigated areas and can produce up to 9 tons per hectare under good management practices.
HKR-120: HKR-120 is a hybrid rice variety developed by Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) and released in 2005. It is a medium-duration crop (125-130 days) with good tillering ability, high panicle exertion, and tolerance to waterlogging and aphids. The average yield potential of HKR-120 is around 7-8 tons per hectare, and it is suitable for cultivation in irrigated and lowland areas.
HKR-126: Another hybrid rice variety developed by HAU, HKR-126 is a high-yielding crop with a growth duration of 125-130 days. It has good tolerance to heat and drought and shows resistance to bacterial leaf blight disease. HKR-126 can produce up to 8 tons per hectare and is recommended for cultivation in irrigated and rainfed lowland areas.
HKR-127: HKR-127 is a late-maturing hybrid rice variety, also developed by HAU, that takes around 135-140 days to mature. It has a high capacity for tillering, large panicle size, and tolerance to lodging and blast disease. HKR-127 is suitable for growing in irrigated and rainfed areas and can produce up to 7-8 tons per hectare.
HKR-46: HKR-46 is an early-maturing hybrid rice variety that can be harvested in around 115-120 days. It has good tillering ability, high panicle exertion, and tolerance to drought and salinity. HKR-46 can produce up to 7 tons per hectare and is recommended for cultivation in rainfed and lowland areas where monsoon is delayed.
HKR-47: HKR-47 is an improved version of HKR-46 and has higher yield potential (8-9 tons per hectare). It is a medium-duration crop (125-130 days) with good tillering ability, moderate resistance to blast disease, and tolerance to drought and waterlogging. HKR-47 is suitable for cultivation in irrigated and lowland areas and can also be grown in rainfed regions with proper management practices.
IR-64: IR-64 is a popular high-yielding rice variety developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). It is a semi-dwarf crop with a growth duration of 120-125 days and is known for its excellent grain quality, responsiveness to fertilizer, and tolerance to various biotic and abiotic stresses. IR-64 can produce up to 10 tons per hectare in favorable conditions and is widely grown in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
In conclusion, paddy crop varieties such as PR-106, HKR-120, HKR-126, HKR-127, HKR-46, HKR-47, and IR-64 have been developed through extensive research and breeding efforts to meet the diverse needs and challenges of rice farmers globally. Each variety has its unique characteristics and performance potential that farmers can consider when choosing the right crop for their specific conditions. With the right management practices, these paddy crop varieties can help increase rice production and improve food security and income opportunities for farmers.