DRR Dhan-73: A Low Soil Phosphorus Tolerant Fine-grain Rice Variety (jointly developed along with ICAR-IIRR)

DRR Dhan-73, a derivative of Samba Mahsuri (SM, BPT5204) is a low soil phosphorus (P) -tolerant (climate-resilient) fine-grain rice variety of India. DRR Dhan-73 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 EMS mutagenesis, and it was dedicated to the Nation by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India on 11th August 2024. DRR Dhan-73 possesses high yield (> 5.0 tonnes/ha), superior grain-quality attributes (i.e. long slender-grain type. Phosphorus fertilizer is one of the major requirements and input costs for rice farmers. DRR Dhan-73 being tolerant to low soil phosphorus tolerant, gives similar yield with the use of 30% less amount of P fertilizer. Another advantage of DRR Dhan-73 rice is that it is not a transgenic plant, and farmers can save their pure seeds for subsequent use.

A low soil phosphorus tolerant fine-grain rice variety.

• Tolerant to low soil phosphorus conditions.
• Save input cost for farmers as it gives a similar yield under 30% less use of the recommended phosphate fertilizer.
• High yielding (~5.0 tonnes/ha).
• Long slender grain white rice.
• Save input cost for farmers as it matures 15-20 days earlier (~125-130 days) than Samba Mahsuri rice (~140-145 days).
• Farmers can save their pure seeds for subsequent use (save input/seed cost).