Bangladesh has approved BRRI dhan-119, a new salt-tolerant rice variety designed for coastal and other difficult growing conditions.
The National Seed Board gave final approval for transplanted Aman cultivation at its 116th meeting, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute publication and public relations official Md Al Amin confirmed Tuesday.
A team led by BRRI Plant Breeding Division Chief Scientific Officer Mohammad Ekhlasur Rahman developed the variety with funding from the Location Specific Technology Development project.
The research team also included senior scientific officer Hasina Khatun, senior plant breeder Nusrat Jahan, scientific officer Armin Akter Setu and CRIL scientific officer Ribat Farzana Disha.
The variety matures in about 115 days and can be grown in both saline coastal areas and non-saline regions.
Its short life cycle may allow farmers to grow mustard or sunflower on the same land after harvesting Aman rice.
Researchers recommend sowing seeds from July 1 to 30. Seedlings aged 25 to 30 days should be planted on medium-high to high land, with 20 centimeters between rows and 15 centimeters between hills, using two to three seedlings per hill.
The line was tested in saline and non-saline environments at 20 locations under the Seed Certification Agency. It has also received a National Technical Committee recommendation for Boro cultivation, pending final Seed Board approval.
With proper care, average yield can reach 5.7 tons per hectare, ranging from 4.8 to 7.6 tons depending on salinity and conditions.
That is about one ton per hectare more than BRRI dhan-73. Plants average 113 centimeters tall and have strong stems that resist lodging.
At the seedling stage, the variety can tolerate salinity of 12 decisiemens per meter for up to three consecutive weeks. From vegetative to reproductive stages, it can tolerate 8 to 10 decisiemens per meter during sensitive periods.
Each panicle carries about 215 filled grains, 70 to 80 more than BRRI dhan-73. The grain does not shatter easily. Its rice is medium-slender and white, cooks fluffy and contains 25.9 percent amylose.
BRRI Director General Md Rafiqul Islam called the variety an important agricultural research achievement that could support coastal farmers and strengthen food security.
Lead researcher Ekhlasur Rahman said the team’s greatest reward would be seeing farmers benefit from the variety.
Field trials in Cox’s Bazar, saline areas of Satkhira and favorable non-saline environments showed that yield depends on salinity level and duration, plant growth stage and crop management.
The variety’s short duration could change coastal crop rotations by leaving time for sunflower or salt-tolerant mustard after Aman. Dhaincha could also be grown as green manure after Boro to improve soil organic matter and fertility.
BRRI’s Genetic Resources and Seed Division in Gazipur is responsible for seed production. Researchers said reliable production and distribution of quality seed will be essential for farmer adoption.
Recommended fertilizer per hectare is 234 kilograms of urea, 87 kilograms of TSP, 117 kilograms of MOP, 78 kilograms of gypsum and 12 kilograms of zinc sulfate.
All TSP, gypsum and zinc sulfate and half the MOP should be applied during final land preparation.
Urea should be applied in three equal installments: 10 to 15 days after transplanting, after 30 days, and five to seven days before panicle initiation. The remaining MOP should be applied with the final urea dose.
Farmers should monitor pests and diseases and seek advice from specialists or agricultural extension workers before applying pesticides.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report