RN Desk: Adding a new dimension to the country’s food security and agricultural production system, six new high-yielding rice varieties—including two hybrids—have been added to the national grain basket. On Wednesday (February 5), at the 115th meeting of the National Seed Board held at the Ministry of Agriculture, these varieties developed by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) were officially released for cultivation across the country.

The meeting was chaired by Agriculture Secretary Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian and attended by BRRI Director General Dr. Mohammad Khalekuzzaman, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Seed Wing, and related departments and agencies.

Among the six newly released varieties are: one vitamin-E enriched variety, one salt-tolerant variety, one blast disease-resistant variety, one cold-tolerant variety suitable for haor (wetland) areas, and two lodging-tolerant hybrid varieties. With these additions, the total number of rice varieties developed by BRRI now stands at 127—an outstanding example of the country’s research capability.

BRRI dhan115: A new horizon in nutritious black rice

BRRI dhan115 is Bangladesh’s first high-yielding black rice variety, developed through anther culture technology. It is rich in vitamin E and antioxidants. The average yield is 7.4 tons per hectare, with a life cycle of 137–142 days. The plant height averages 100 cm at maturity. The grains are long and slender; the husk is black and the rice is dark brown. The weight of 1,000 grains is approximately 17.8 grams. It contains 23% amylose. Each kilogram of rice contains 14.98 mg of vitamin E and 29.12 mg of Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), along with 536.61 µM AAE antioxidant per 100 grams.

BRRI dhan116: A blend of high yield and stability

BRRI dhan116 is a high-yielding late Boro season variety, comparable to BRRI dhan92 but more productive. Its average life cycle is 154 days. The rice grain is medium-slender and thinner than BRRI dhan92. The plant is strong and sturdy, making it resistant to lodging. The leaves are erect and long, so the panicles are not visible from above; even after ripening, the leaves remain green. Field trials showed that it produced on average 13.75% higher yield than BRRI dhan92. The average yield is 8.59 tons per hectare, with potential yields up to 10.36 tons under proper management. Since its cultivation method is similar to BRRI dhan92, it is an easy alternative for farmers.

BRRI dhan117: Salt-tolerant and disease-resistant

This is a short-duration Boro season variety tolerant to salinity and resistant to blast disease. The average yield is 8.6 tons per hectare, and up to 9.90 tons with improved management. The grain is medium-bold and golden in color. The life cycle is 129–135 days, similar to BRRI dhan28. It contains 24.2% amylose and 9.3% protein; the cooked rice is fluffy. Notably, under artificial inoculation, it demonstrated high blast resistance (score 0–3).

BRRI dhan118: A promising variety for Haor areas

BRRI dhan118 is a cold-tolerant variety specially suitable for haor regions. Even with early sowing (October 25–November 1), it does not produce sterile grains and yields at least 6.0 tons per hectare. Under normal sowing (November 15–20), it yields 6.9–8.5 tons per hectare within 145 days. The grain is medium-bold; cooked rice is white and fluffy. It contains 28.3% amylose and 9.1% protein. Trials showed it yielded on average 22.83% more than BRRI dhan28.

BRRI Hybrid dhan9: Salt-tolerant high-yielding variety

This lodging-tolerant hybrid is moderately tolerant to salinity, enduring 4–8 dS/m salinity from seedling to maturity. The grain is medium-sized with 23.6% amylose. The weight of 1,000 grains is 25.5 grams, and protein content is 9.3%. The life cycle is 145–147 days. Average farmer-level yield is 9.5–10.5 tons per hectare; in coastal areas, 6.5–7.0 tons per hectare.

BRRI Hybrid dhan10: Stable and high-yielding

This lodging-tolerant variety produces slender grains with 23.5% amylose. The 1,000-grain weight is 23.7 grams and protein content is 9.1%. The life cycle is 145–147 days. Average farmer-level yield is 9.7–10.7 tons per hectare.

Currently, 39 BRRI-developed rice varieties are tolerant to adverse conditions such as floods, drought, salinity, and waterlogging. Due to the field-level expansion of these varieties and technologies, Bangladesh now ranks third in the world in rice production. Before independence, per capita cultivable land was 20%, which has now decreased to 10%. Despite a 2.5-fold increase in population, food production has increased nearly fourfold—clear evidence of the success of the country’s agricultural research and extension system.

For more details:
Dr. Khondokar Md. Iftekharuddaula – 01732761747