As a staple food in many parts of the world, paddy rice is grown and consumed in large quantities. In order to meet the increasing food demands, farmers have turned to high-yielding varieties of paddy, including PR-paddy. PR stands for “Pusa Rice,” which is a variety developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in the 1970s. Since then, several variants of PR-paddy have been developed with improved characteristics, such as higher yields, pest-resistance, and drought-tolerance.
Here are some of the most popular varieties of PR-paddy:
1. PR 106: This is one of the first high-yielding varieties of PR-paddy developed by IARI. It has a short duration of around 120-125 days and produces grain with a good milling quality. It is also tolerant to salinity, acidic soils, and pests.
2. PR 11: This variety is known for its excellent grain quality, and is widely grown in several parts of India. It has a medium maturity period of around 130 days and produces a high yield. PR 11 is also drought-tolerant and resistant to pests and diseases.
3. Pusa Basmati 1: This variety is grown in the northern states of India and is known for its aromatic and long grain size. It has a medium duration of around 135-140 days and is highly susceptible to pests and diseases. However, with proper management, it can yield a good harvest.
4. PRH 10: This particular variant of PR-paddy was developed by the Philippines Rice Research Institute. It has a medium duration of around 120-130 days and is known for its good yield potential. It is also resistant to pests and diseases.
5. PR 114: This is a popular variety of PR-paddy grown in Sri Lanka. It has a medium duration of around 128-135 days and is characterized by its high yield potential and good grain quality. It is also pest-resistant.
PR-paddy has revolutionized rice cultivation by significantly increasing yields and improving crop quality, especially in areas prone to drought, pests, and diseases. The development of new varieties of PR-paddy continues to be a focus of research and development in many countries, with the aim of meeting the growing demand for food and feeding the ever-increasing population.