Improved yield potentialities of some Indian foIk rice varieties under organic farming

Abstract

Prior to ushering of chemical intensive agriculture, more than 82000 region specific indigenous rice varieties (fo., rice varieties or FRVsJ were cultivated in India. Farmers adopted fertilizer and pesticide dependent modern nc. varieties [High Yielding Varieties of Rice) due to its enhanced yield. But there were no immediate consequences .- chemical fertilizers on soil and environment. Advertised propaganda for fertilizer and pesticide depende:: modern varieties of rice termed as High Yielding Varieties during the initial years of Green Revolution, farme:, accepted them for its magic yield sacrificing the long term consequences of soil, environment, human health ar:: colossal loss of rice crop biodiversity. Most of the varieties (nearly 99o/o) have gone extinct from farmers' fielc, without being evaluated. Some stray records of government and some scientists showed its tremendous yie : potentialities under organic mode. Agricultural training Center has started evaluating the folk rice varieties sini. 2001 in its demonstration farm. Several folk rice varieties can compete with modern rice varieties which is H\", , or Hybrid in terms of grain and straw yield, cost of production, nutrition and taste. Organic farming with pulse c:- restore biological activity of the soil. FRVs like Bahurupi, Kerala Sundari, Tqlmuli, Meghna Dambaru, Rabansal e'.. can give grain yield of 4-6 ton /ha while some aromatic folk rice varieties llke Radhatitak, JP110, Kalabh;: Adansilpa etc can give yield of 3.5-4 ton/ha with single seedling planting method. A lot of farmers are re-adoptir. the near extinct FRVs for its substantial yield, low cost of cultivation, unique taste, and nutrition.