Abstract

BPT 2846, developed through pedigree breeding at the Agricultural Research Station, Bapatla, is a result of the cross between MTU 1061 and IR78585-64-2-4-3-1. During the kharif seasons of 2015-2017, it underwent station yield trials, demonstrating an average grain yield of 6352 kg/ha. This marked a substantial 18.6% improvement over the reference variety BPT 5204. In the Multi-location Trial-Slender grain of kharif 2019, BPT 2846 showcased a noteworthy average grain yield of 6355 kg/ha, exhibiting a 23.0% improvement over the common check BPT 5204. Nominated in the AICRIP trial under the Initial Variety Trial-Medium Slender category as IET 28737 in 2019, BPT 2846 displayed adaptability across various locations in the country, recording a mean grain yield of 4420 kg/ha. The rice variety was further subjected to adaptive minikit testing in farmers’ fields by DAATT Centres for three years, resulting in an average grain yield of 6513 kg/ha. This reflected an 11.8% improvement over BPT 5204. Similarly, minikit testing conducted by DAOs recorded an average grain yield of 6497 kg/ha for BPT 2846, demonstrating a 12% yield improvement over BPT 5204. Belonging to the late duration group with a 145-150 days duration in the kharif season, BPT 2846 is wellsuited for irrigated wetlands in Andhra Pradesh. It possesses characteristics such as non-lodging, a semi-dwarf and erect plant type, dark green foliage, two weeks of seed dormancy, low shattering and high grain yield. Additionally, BPT 2846 exhibits moderate resistance to leaf blast, neck blast and leaf folder. It boasts excellent cooking quality, intermediate values of alkali spreading and amylose content, high head rice recovery (65.2%) with translucent grains and a Kernel Length to Breadth ratio of 2.85. These attributes make it highly desirable for obtaining a premium market price.