Dhaka:A newly developed high-yielding rice variety, BRRI Dhan-119, is set to revolutionize rice cultivation in Bangladesh's salinity-prone coastal regions, offering farmers the potential for higher yields, shorter crop cycles, and improved agricultural land use.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) developed this promising variety, which has recently received final approval from the National Seed Board during its 116th meeting for cultivation in the transplanted Aman season.
The variety is expected to bring significant benefits to farmers in coastal areas where soil salinity remains a significant challenge for agricultural production. With a crop duration of approximately 115 days, BRRI Dhan-119 allows for the cultivation of winter crops like mustard and sunflower immediately after harvesting Aman rice, thereby increasing cropping intensity and farm income.
Led by Chief Scientific Officer Mohammad Ekhlasur Rahman, BRRI's research team developed the variety under the Location-Specific Technology Development (LSTD) project. The team included Senior Scientific Officer Hasina Khatun, Senior Plant Breeder Nusrat Jahan, Scientific Officer Armin Akter Setu, and Scientific Officer (CRCIL) Ribet Farzana Disha.
BRRI Dhan-119 can be cultivated in both saline coastal and non-saline regions of the country. For the transplanted Aman season, seeds should be sown between July 1 and July 30. Farmers are advised to transplant 25- to 30-day-old seedlings on medium-high to high land, keeping a spacing of 20 centimeters between rows and 15 centimeters between hills, with two to three seedlings per hill.
Field trials at 20 different locations under both saline and non-saline conditions, supervised by the Seed Certification Agency, demonstrated the variety's potential. It also received a recommendation from the National Technical Committee for cultivation during the Boro season. Following the National Seed Board's approval, the variety is now eligible for cultivation in both Aman and Boro seasons.
BRRI Dhan-119 boasts an impressive yield potential, averaging 5.7 tonnes of paddy per hectare with proper crop management. Yields may vary from 4.8 to 7.6 tonnes depending on environmental conditions and salinity levels. This average yield is approximately one tonne per hectare higher than the widely cultivated BRRI Dhan-73.
The plants are robust, reaching an average height of 113 centimeters with strong stems that resist lodging. Each panicle yields about 215 filled grains, 70 to 80 more than BRRI Dhan-73, with grains firmly attached to the panicles to prevent premature grain shattering.
With exceptional salinity tolerance, the variety is particularly suitable for coastal agriculture. It can withstand salinity levels up to 12 DeciSiemens per metre (dS/m) at the seedling stage for three weeks and tolerates 8 to 10 dS/m during sensitive growth stages.
BRRI Dhan-119 produces medium-slender, white rice grains. The cooked rice is fluffy and non-sticky, with an amylose content of 25.9 percent, enhancing its appeal for both production and grain quality.
Md Rafiqul Islam, Director General of BRRI, hailed the development as a significant achievement in the country's agricultural research, stating that it would help farmers in coastal areas overcome soil salinity challenges while contributing to national food security.
Lead researcher Mohammad Ekhlasur Rahman expressed that the greatest reward for their efforts would be seeing the benefits of the new variety reach farmers' fields. With its high yield potential, shorter maturity period, and strong salinity tolerance, BRRI Dhan-119 is expected to expand rice production in coastal Bangladesh while allowing for additional crop growth on the same fields.