Received: 15th November 2020; Accepted: 15th December 2020

Abstract

Biofortified variety ‘DRR Dhan 48’ was recently notified and released [CVRC S.O. 1379 (E) dt. 27.03.2018]. It has a high zinc content of 27 and 22 ppm in brown and polished rice, respectively and introgressed with three bacterial blight resistant genes (xa5, xa13 and Xa21). It also has desirable grain quality parameters and agromorphological characteristics akin to the popularly grown Samba Mahsuri. DRR Dhan 48 is distinguishable from other rice varieties of comparable grain type and duration using morphological, biochemical and molecular markers. Seed production was taken up in participatory mode in the farmer’s field in Aroor village, Valigonda mandal of Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district in Telangana State during kharif 2020. Roughing at regular intervals was done by breeders to maintain seed purity. DRR Dhan 48 is well accepted by the farmers and gradually gaining popularity. This cultivar is spreading from farmer to farmer and seed produced in farmer’s field during kharif 2020 was distributed among farmers across 3 states viz., Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for cultivation during Rabi 2020-21.