New mustard hybrid gives higher yield during trials...

Scientists of the National Research Centre on Rapeseed-Mustard in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, under the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), have developed a hybrid variety of mustard for release in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The NRC Sankar Sarson (NR CHB 506) hybrid is said to be a milestone in the brassica research programme in the country.

According to senior scientist and the breeder of the variety K.H. Singh, the hybrid yield was 26 per cent higher than the traditional variety in the 11 trials conducted across five States. The yield at some of the locations was up to 32 quintals per hectare, the ICAR said here. The hybrid is of a medium maturity duration of 133 days, medium tall at 190 cm and has 40.6 per cent oil content.

NRC Director Arvind Kumar said the development of mustard hybrid would help enhance productivity of this second most important oilseed crop in the country. According to him, the new variety would contribute to bringing about self-sufficiency in the edible oils sector.

The hybrid was identified for release by the Varietal Identification Committee chaired by Dy. Director-General (Crop Sciences) P.L. Gautam during a meeting of the All-India Coordinated Research Project on Rapeseed-Mustard in Bhubaneswar.

Source: The Hindu