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Achievements

Following are the research achievements of the institute:

  • Being the pioneer in developing extra- long, delicious and aromatic rice (Basmati 370), up till now, developed and released 31 rice varieties for general cultivation.
  • Developed Sona Super Basmati (longest ever grain i.e., 9.5mm), Vital Super Basmati (Country’s first fortified rice with Fe & Zn) and high yielding coarse variety; KSK 2023) during 2023.
  • Developed country’s first basmati hybrid- KSK 111H which was approved for general cultivation in 28th January, 2021.
  • The per acre yield potential of fine varieties increased from 30 (Basmati 370) to 115 maunds (KSK 111H) and similarly in case of coarse varieties from 100 (IR 6) to 110 maunds (KSK 133 & KSK 2023). This increase in yield has ultimately uplifted the socio-economic status of the farming community on one-hand and foreign exchange earnings on the other (maunds= 40 Kg).
  • Crop maturity period after transplanting in fine varieties decreased from 130 (Basmati 198) to 94 days (Kissan Basmati) and 111 (KSK 434) to 100 days (KS 282) in coarse varieties. This all together changed the crop rotation (rice- wheat- rice) increasing the crop diversification for sustainable agriculture.
  • Short stature of rice varieties was attained to mitigate the crop lodging resultantly in fine rice plant height dropped to 98 (Kissan Basmati) from 170cm (Basmati 370) and 105 (IR 6) from 115cm (KS 282).
  • As per market demand, average grain length in fine rice has been increased upto 9.50mm (Sona Super Basmati) as compared to 6.50 (Basmati 198) and 7.07 (KSK 133) from 6.69 (IR 6) in coarse varieties.
  • Parboiling techniques have been standardized to check the inconsistent production of parboiled rice such as colour variation, off- odour and less milling recovery. To address these problems parboiling technology for new lines/ varieties (extra-long grain) is determined for standardization.
  • Crop maximization achieved by efficient use of irrigation water by decreasing puddling duration to 3-4 as compared to 30- 40 days. Similarly after transplanting, by maintaining standing water at the level of 1-1.5 inches for 21 days despite 30- 40 days at the level of three inches, conserve the precious irrigation water without affecting the yield.
  • During the success story of direct seeding of rice seed through broadcast, the dire need of drill was noted. As rice seed broken in available conventional wheat drills so necessary amendments were suggested to a private firm during 2009 and after necessary field trials first drill was successfully introduced with public private initiative. The DSR drill further improved in 2017 in such a way that now it is able to sow seed at 4-5 inches apart. This technology in addition to saving 15- 20% irrigation water and labour also enables the farmers to achieve the required plant population of 80,000/ acre. As a result farmers get 20- 25% increase in rice yield.
  • Mechanical transplanting reduces drudgery on one hand and enables timely transplanting of rice nursery on the other, resulting increase in the production. This method further saves time and farmers can transplant 6- 8 acres/ day. Because of the motivation encouragement and capacity building, mechanized transplanted area now increase day by day owing to public- private initiatives for its expansion.
  • Notorious white and yellow stem borers of rice are controlled well owing to the development of short duration rice varieties resulting in onset of Rice-Wheat- Rice crop rotation that destroyed their overwintering larval population during cultural practices for wheat.
  • Introgression of BLB resistant genes in present (Basmati Gold) and promising varieties will not only decrease per acre cost but also helps in harvesting pesticide residue free produce.
  • Avoided injudicious use of pesticides by devising integrated pest, disease and weed management strategies ensuring pesticide residue free rice production.
  • Use of nitrogen (split application as a basal, 30- 35 DAS and 45- 50 DAS), potash, phosphorous, zinc sulphate and boron increase the crop profitability.
  • By using rice combine harvester, generally problem of crop residue not occurs but wheat combines with necessary alterations for rice, generate problem of rice crop residue which can be minimized by using rice shredder which was developed with technical assistance of the institute from a private firm. Rice shredder cut the rice residues in to 2-3 inch pieces, which can easily be mixed with rotavator or disc plough in the soil and by irrigating the field and application of half bag urea increase the soil fertility.
  • After rice harvest, wheat can be successfully grown in standing stubbles or crop residue by using happy seeder drill, which not only mulch the field to save soil moisture but suppresses the weeds on the other, resultantly environment pollution (smog) can be avoided.
  • Bran is a bye- product of rice milling and is generally used for poultry feed in the country. It contains 15- 20% nutraceutical oil that is excellent for heart patients. The stabilization techniques were developed to get bran oil for human consumption.
  • It is estimated that the area, production and yield increased 578, 1423 and 124 percent, respectively, since inception of Pakistan. Rice is the second important cash crop of the country after cotton covering 11% of total cropped area.
  • Rice is responsible to earn more than US$ 2 billion foreign exchange annually. Basmati is premium rice that fetches about US$ 1000 per ton as compared to US$ 450 per ton of coarse rice from international market. The share of Pakistan in total world rice trade is around 9.10% by value.
  • The per capita availability of rice increased many fold from 4 to 40Kg.
  • The impact of rice research is quite evident from the fact that only one variety of the institute (Super Basmati) adds a benefit of Rs. 20- 30 billion annually to the economy of the Punjab.
  • Capacity building of farmers and other stakeholders.
  • It is evident that Super Basmati sustains its luster keeping in view its yield. The winner of basmati rice yield competition in the Punjab during 2017-18 harvested 71.34 maunds/ acre Super Basmati by Munir Ahmad from District Kasur.