Puducherry Scientists Develop Flood-resistant Rice Variety, "KKL(R)2"

Puducherry is likely to handle the future flood setback unlike, 2021’s northeast monsoon influence as the city develops a new rice variety to tolerate floods, according to a media report on Sunday.

The agriculture institute in Karaikal has reported developing the rice variety in support of the Department of Biotechnology, the central government.

The rice variety, KKL (R)2 was developed by a team of researchers under Dr S Thirumeni, head of the department of plant breeding and genetics, at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute.

The late August and September-October rains affect the paddy crop and cause its destruction due to submergence. The institute thus worked on the development of water submergence-tolerant rice varieties.

According to a media report, Dr S Thirumeni states the new variety KKL(R)2 was developed by crossing ADT 46 and Swarna Sub 1 through the Marker Assisted Backcross Method three times.

He added, KKL(R)2 matures in 135 days and is suitable for the August (Samba) season. He stressed the rice variety’s tolerance to flash floods and the submergence period of 14 days during the tillering stage.

He said, the average grain yield of KKL(R) 2 is 6,850 kg per hectare under normal circumstances and under submerged conditions, it is expected to yield 3,600 kg per hectare.

Scientists suggest the rice variety’s moderately resistant to pets including brown plant hopper, white-backed brown hopper, and blast and brown spot.

KKL( R) 2 is the first rice Puducherry rice variety that is approved for release by the Central Variety Release Committee (CVRC).