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DRR Dhan 75 (Bhagyanagar Sonna)

DRR Dhan 75, also released as Bhagyanagar Sonna, is a public-sector inbred (open-pollinated) fine-grain rice variety bred at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR), Rajendranagar. It is derived from the cross Samba Mahsuri x Habataki x ST 12 and is positioned by IIRR as an improved, non-lodging successor to Bpt 5204 that retains its market-preferred medium-slender grain.

Key characteristics

  • Breeding institute: ICAR-IIRR, Rajendranagar
  • Pedigree: Samba Mahsuri x Habataki x ST 12
  • Duration: 125-135 days, both seasons
  • Plant height: ~100 cm, lodging-resistant
  • Grain: medium-slender; 4.76 mm long x 1.72 mm wide; 1000-grain weight 16.5 g (vs ~13.5 g in BPT 5204)
  • Panicle: 380-400 grains per panicle (vs ~135-150 in BPT 5204)
  • Tillers: 20-30 productive tillers per plant
  • Yield: 40-60 q/acre under well-managed conditions

Cultivation

The variety fits both transplanted and direct-seeded systems (Transplanting Paddy, Direct Seeded Rice Broadcast) across kharif and rabi where BPT 5204 has historically dominated. Its capped plant height and stiff straw reduce lodging at panicle stage, allowing the boot- and panicle-initiation nutrient windows (Paddy Panicle Stage Fertilization, Paddy Panicle Stage Management) to be exploited more aggressively than on tall fine-grain types. Being a public-sector OP variety, farm-saved seed remains viable for approximately four seasons.

Pest and disease profile

DRR Dhan 75 carries resistance to rice blast (Paddy Blast Disease, Rice Blast) and bacterial leaf blight (Bacterial Leaf Blight Paddy), and shows field tolerance to brown spot (Brown Spot Paddy) and brown planthopper (Brown Planthopper Paddy). This profile addresses two of the main weaknesses of BPT 5204.

Adoption and use

The variety is part of an ICAR-IIRR four-variety release group and is being promoted across India as a market-fit replacement for Samba Mahsuri-type fine grain. It also features in IRRI's list of high-impact NARES-developed varieties recently scaled in India.

See also: Bpt 5204, Rnr 15048, Mtu 1010, Bacterial Leaf Blight Paddy, Paddy Blast Disease.

References

  1. ICAR-IIRR released four new Rice Varieties. ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research.
  2. 31 High-Impact IRRI-NARES-Developed Rice Varieties Now Available Across India. IRRI.