Newly Introduced High Yielding Rice Varieties ADT 59 and ADT 53 Enhances Delta Paddy Farming

As per the latest developments in the rice cultivation, Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute (TRRI), Aduthurai has introduced two new short-duration varieties, ADT 59 and ADT 53 to enhance productivity and profitability in challenging agro-climatic conditions. These varieties’ traits comprise high yield, salinity tolerance, improved nutritional content, and pest resistance offering advantage upon traditional rice strains in the Cauvery delta region.

Attributes of ADT 59

It is a variety of bold-grain rice having a maturity period of 110-115 days. This variety is usually preferred by procurement centres, increasing returns for farmers as it requires only half the conventional fertiliser input, making it cost-effective. Interestingly, ADT 59 is appropriate to the delta’s soil and climatic profile. Harvests up to 4,000 kg per acre in Kuruvai conditions in the compared to the typical 2,500 kg per acre, as per reported by Farmers. ADT 59 shows resistance to key pests and diseases and performs good in saline conditions common in delta regions. Not only this, but its capability of direct sowing also simplifies the process of cultivation.

About Features and Advantages of ADT 53

ADT 53 is suitable for Kuruvai, Kodai, and Navarai seasons and provides flexibility for different cropping cycles. Originally, it matures in 105-110 days surpassing the earlier ADT 43 variety in terms of yield and grain quality. It is a hybrid derivation of ADT 43 and JGL 384 and gives desirable traits of both varieties. It has a rice recovery rate of 65%. Not only this, but it also is rich in zinc (19.4 mg of zinc per 100 grams) and iron, effacing micronutrient deficiencies. This rice variety is ideal for South Indian cuisines such as idli and dosa giving rice-to-black gram ratio of 6:1 that generates with less grain input but higher output. Hence, this variety endorses nutriention as well as culinary purposes.