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Ecology & Environment
Mahesh

02/12/22 22:07 PM IST

Perennial Rice (PR23)

In News 
  • Recently, researchers at the Yunnan University (China) have developed a variety of perennial rice named PR23 by crossbreeding regular annual rice Oryza sativa with a wild perennial variety from Africa.
Perennial crops 
  • Perennial crops are typically considered as those that are more permanent, requiring a few growth cycles before fruit is produced.
  • Perennial rice are varieties of long-lived rice that are capable of regrowing season after season without reseeding.
  • It can reduce the drudgery of annual trans-plantation which is a tough task and generate savings on seeds and other inputs.
  • Perennial rice like many other perennial plants can spread by horizontal stems below or just above the surface of the soil but they also reproduce sexually by producing flowers, pollen and seeds.
Importance 
  • This variety of rice does not need to be planted every year: unlike regular rice, which is planted every season, PR23 can yield eight consecutive harvests across four years as these plants with stronger roots grow back vigorously after each harvest.
  • Productivity: Farmer profits from perennial rice ranged from 17% to 161% above annual rice.
  • Cheap: growing it is much cheaper since it requires less labour, seeds and chemical inputs.
  • Environmental benefits: Perennials reduce soil erosion as they reduce soil disturbances because plants are left in place to grow for multiple years, thus there is less mechanical disturbance by farm equipment.
  • Low labour and input costs: The perennial varieties were preferred by farmers since it saved 58% in labour and 49% in other input costs, over each regrowth cycle.
  • It can transform farming: The researchers claim it can transform farming by improving livelihoods, enhancing soil quality and by inspiring research on other grains.
India and Rice 
  • India is the world’s second largest rice producer after China and the largest exporter with a 40% share in global trade.
  • Production has increased from 53.6 million tons in FY 1980 to 120 million tons in FY2020-21.
  • India has the largest area under rice cultivation.
  • It is a tropical plant, and it flourishes comfortably in a hot and humid climate.
  • Rice is mainly grown in rain-fed areas that receive heavy annual rainfall. That is why it is fundamentally a kharif crop in India.
  • India is the leading exporter of the Basmati Rice to the global market.
  • West Bengal has the highest production of rice in India.
  • It is grown during both summer and winter crop seasons.
Source- Live Mint 

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