Background:
BPT 5204 (Samba Mahsuri) is a mega-rice variety which is characterized by medium slender grain and good cooking quality. It is extremely popular amongst rice farmers and consumers because of its high yield, medium slender grains and excellent cooking and eating qualities. Although the variety was initially released for cultivation in Andhra Pradesh in Southern India, it has now spread to other states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Bihar occupying an area of around 1.5 mha in the country. However, this variety is highly susceptible to blast disease which causes significant yield and quality losses. Further, management of this disease through chemical pesticides is not effective. Technology Details:
Pusa Samba 1850 is a MAS derived blast resistant near-isogenic line of BPT 5204 (Samba Mahsuri) which possesses three genes governing blast resistance namely, Pi54, Pi1 and Pita, with seed to seed maturity of 140-145 days and average yield of 4.77 t/ha with a potential yield of upto 6.6t/ha. Pusa Samba 1850 possesses medium slender grains (5.6 mm) with non-chalky grains chalkiness, and intermediate amylose content (21.5 %), which is on par with the recurrent parent, BPT 5204 (Samba Mahsuri). It has medium slender translucent grain with 68% mean head rice recovery. The cultivation of Pusa Samba 1850 would significantly reduce the use of chemicalpesticides in managing blast disease, thereby producing environment friendly and consumer safe rice.