DRR Dhan-60: A Low GI, and Climate-resilient (Bacterial Blight Disease-resistant and Low Soil Phosphorus Tolerant) Fine-grain Rice Variety (jointly developed along with ICAR-IIRR)

DRR Dhan-60, a derivative of Improved Samba Mahsuri (ISM, RP BIO226), is a low GI, climate-resilient [bacterial blight disease-resistant and first low soil phosphorus (P) -tolerant] fine-grain rice variety of India. DRR Dhan-60 was jointly developed by the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, and ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR), Hyderabad, through the process of marker-assisted backcross breeding (MABB), and it was dedicated to the Nation by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India on 28th September 2021. DRR Dhan-60 possesses high yield (> 5.0 tonnes/ha), superior grain-quality attributes (i.e. fine-grain type) similar to the highly popular mega-rice variety Samba Mahsuri (SM, BPT5204). Phosphorus fertilizer is one of the major requirements and input costs for rice farmers. DRR Dhan-60, being tolerant to low soil phosphorus, gives a similar yield with 30% less amount of P fertilizer. Another advantage of DRR Dhan-60 rice is that it is not a transgenic plant, and farmers can save their pure seeds for subsequent use.

A low Glycemic index (GI), and climate-resilient (bacterial blight disease-resistant and low soil phosphorus tolerant) fine-grain rice variety

• Resistant to bacterial blight disease of rice.
• Tolerant to low soil phosphorus conditions.
• Up to ~50% more yield under bacterial blight conditions.
• Save input cost for farmers as it gives a similar yield with 30% less use of the recommended phosphate fertilizer.
• Diabetic-friendly rice [Low glycaemic index (GI value < 55)], reported by ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), Hyderabad, through a clinical study]
• High yielding (~5.0 tonnes/ha).
• Medium slender fine grain white rice similar to SM and ISM.
• Save input cost for farmers as it matures 10-15 days earlier (~130-135 days) than Samba Mahsuri rice (~140-145 days).
• Farmers can save their pure seeds for subsequent use (save input/seed cost).