Pusa DST-1 and DRR Dhan 100 Kamala

Source: TW

Subject: Agriculture

Context: ICAR has strongly rebutted allegations of bias in the evaluation of two gene-edited rice lines—Pusa DST-1 and DRR Dhan 100 Kamala—under the AICRPR multi-location trials.

About Pusa DST-1 and DRR Dhan 100 Kamala:

What They Are?

• Two gene-edited rice varieties developed as improved versions of popular cultivars MTU1010 and Samba Mahsuri using advanced precision breeding techniques.

Developed By:

• Pusa DST-1 → Developed by ICAR–IARI

• DRR Dhan 100 Kamala → Developed by ICAR–IIRR

• To improve tolerance to salinity and alkalinity stresses (Pusa DST-1).

• To enhance yield, resilience and overall performance under the agro-climatic conditions where Samba Mahsuri is cultivated (DRR Dhan 100 Kamala).

Key Features

• Pusa DST-1 (Improved MTU1010)

• This is a better version of the MTU1010 rice. It can grow well in salty or hard soils where normal rice struggles. It gives more rice per hectare than MTU1010 — about 15% more in alkaline soil and 30% more in coastal salty areas. It is mainly meant for southern states where MTU1010 is usually grown.

• This is a better version of the MTU1010 rice.

• It can grow well in salty or hard soils where normal rice struggles.

• It gives more rice per hectare than MTU1010 — about 15% more in alkaline soil and 30% more in coastal salty areas.

• It is mainly meant for southern states where MTU1010 is usually grown.

• DRR Dhan 100 Kamala (Improved Samba Mahsuri)

• This is a better version of the Samba Mahsuri rice. It gives more rice in both seasons than the original variety. In one season, it gave about 9% more, and in the next, it gave about 22% more than Samba Mahsuri. It works best in places where Samba Mahsuri is already grown.

• This is a better version of the Samba Mahsuri rice.

• It gives more rice in both seasons than the original variety.

• In one season, it gave about 9% more, and in the next, it gave about 22% more than Samba Mahsuri.

• It works best in places where Samba Mahsuri is already grown.

Significance:

• Validated through rigorous AICRPR blind-coded trials across ~100 sites over 2–3 years.

• Demonstrates India’s first successful gene-edited rice lines evaluated under a national protocol.

• Enhances resilience in regions prone to soil alkalinity, salinity and climate stress.