Pusa Gehun Gaurav (HI 8840): A Climate-Resilient Durum Wheat Variety for India

12 August 2024, New Delhi: Pusa Gehun Gaurav (HI 8840) is a newly released durum wheat variety that promises to revolutionize wheat cultivation in India, particularly in peninsular and central regions. Developed with a focus on high yield, climate resilience, and nutritional quality, this variety is poised to address the challenges faced by farmers in areas with limited water availability and high temperatures during the grain ripening stage.

Key Features and Benefits

1. High Yield and Water Efficiency:
   • Average Grain Yield: 30.2 quintals per hectare under limited irrigation conditions.
   • Potential Grain Yield: Up to 39.9 quintals per hectare with increased water availability.
   • Pusa Gehun Gaurav offers a significant yield advantage, ranging from 2.4% to 13.1% over check varieties. Its semi-dwarf nature ensures that the plants remain sturdy and do not lodge, even under varying water conditions.
2. Disease Resistance:
   • Rust Resistance: This variety is resistant to both black and brown rust, two of the most prominent diseases affecting wheat crops in central and peninsular India. This resistance ensures better crop health and higher yields, even in disease-prone areas.
3. Climate Resilience:
   • Heat and Drought Tolerance: With a low heat sensitivity index (0.94) and drought sensitivity index (0.91), Pusa Gehun Gaurav is well-suited for regions where high temperatures and water scarcity are common. This makes it an ideal choice for farmers in areas facing climate-related challenges.
4. Nutritional Quality:
   • Biofortified Wheat: Pusa Gehun Gaurav is enriched with higher levels of essential nutrients, including grain zinc (41.1 ppm), grain iron (38.5 ppm), and protein content (~12%). This makes it not only a high-yielding variety but also a nutritionally superior option for consumers.
   • Dual-Purpose Use: This variety is ideal for producing high-quality pasta, thanks to its higher yellow pigment content (~8.1 ppm) and grain hardness index (95). It also has excellent chapati-making qualities, with a SDS value of 40.5 ml.

Agronomic Characteristics

• Suitability: Timely sown, limited irrigation conditions.
• Geographical Area: Best suited for cultivation in peninsular and central India.
• Duration: Matures within 110-115 days, making it a relatively early maturing variety.
• Plant Height: 80-85 cm, contributing to its resilience and sturdiness.
• 1000 Grain Weight: 47 grams, indicative of its good grain size and quality.

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