PJB-2007-276
SUSTAINABLE RICE PRODUCTION THROUGH THE USE OF MUTATION BREEDING
H.R. BUGHIO, M.A. ASAD, I.A. ODHANO, M.S. BUGHIO, M.A. KHAN AND N.N. MASTOI
Abstract
The most significant achievements in rice breeding at Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA), Tando Jam, Pakistan through mutagenesis are the evolution of four high yielding and better quality varieties. These varieties have been released by the Provincial Seed Council, Government of Sindh for general cultivation. The first rice variety “Shadab” was released in 1987 by treating the seeds of IR6 with chemical mutagen, ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS 0.5%). Its yield potential is 7 tones/ha and is endowed with high yield and fine grain quality. Shadab is being cultivated on more than 0.06 million hectares and has contributed 21 million US$ as additional income in provincial economy. The 2nd variety in the series was “Shua-92” evolved by irradiating the seeds of IR8 with 15 Gy fast neutrons. In addition to high yield and fine grain quality, Shua-92 also possesses salt tolerance and was released in 1993. The yield potential of Shua-92 is 8.5 tones/ha and it is being cultivated over an area of 0.16 million hectares in the Sindh province. The cultivation of Shua-92 has contributed an additional income of 223 million US$ in provincial economy. The 3rd variety was developed by exposing the seeds of rice variety Jajai-77 (aromatic) to 200 Gy gamma rays and Sugdasi type “Khushboo-95” a short stature endowed with high yield was released in 1996. Due to its short stature, it escapes from lodging and produces higher yields with better inputs. The yield potential of Khushboo-95 is 5.5 tones/ha and it occupies 0.02 million hectares and has provided an additional income of 8 million US$ to farmers. The 4th rice variety “Sarshar” was developed by irradiating the seeds of IR8 with 150 Gy gamma rays. It is a high yielding variety with fine grain quality characteristics and is endowed with tolerance to shattering and insect pests. The yield potential of Sarshar is 9.5 tones/ha and it occupies an area of 0.08 million hectares. It has contributed an additional income of 32 million US$ to farmers. The rice varieties developed by NIA, Tando Jam, have significantly enhanced the yield per hectare and uplifted the socio-economic conditions of the farmers in Sindh and Balochistan provinces of Pakistan.
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