DRR Dhan 73

Background:

Rice productivity in India is often limited by phosphorus-deficient soils, which reduce crop growth and increase dependency on costly fertilizers. Conventional varieties require high phosphorus inputs, raising production costs and causing environmental issues like nutrient runoff. DRR Dhan 73 addresses this problem by being climate-resilient and efficient in phosphorus use, enabling stable yields with reduced fertilizer application. The innovation fills a gap for varieties that combine nutrient-use efficiency with sustainable rice cultivation, lowering input costs while conserving soil fertility. The variety is suitable for adoption in low-P rice-growing regions, potentially covering 2–3 million hectares and benefiting smallholder farmers cultivating rice in low-P area. Its deployment promotes climate-smart and resource-efficient agriculture while ensuring food security.

Technology Details:

DRR Dhan 73 (IET 30242) is an early-maturing, long-slender grain rice developed from Samba Mahsuri via 0.8% EMS mutagenesis, with low-phosphorus tolerance and high yield under low P soil conditions. It flowers in 95–100 days, matures in 120–125 days, and attains a height of 95 cm, suitable for wet (kharif) and dry (Rabi) cultivation. The variety showed superior yield over Rasi under zero and 50% P levels across Zone III (Odisha) and Zone VII (Karnataka, Telangana). DRR Dhan 73 also possesses moderate tolerance to leaf folder, gall midge, and yellow stem borer, with acceptable cooking quality. Its unique features are low-P adaptability, early maturity, LS grain type, and climate resilience, making it ideal for resource-efficient, high-yield rice production in phosphorus-deficient irrigated soils.