Daily Current Affairs : 30-September-2024
Rice farming in northern India, particularly in Punjab and Haryana, has been dominated for decades by the high-yield Pusa-44 variety. However, this variety has a long maturation period, leading to stubble burning, which contributes significantly to air pollution. To address these environmental concerns, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) introduced a new rice variety, Pusa-2090. This variety offers similar yields to Pusa-44 but with a much shorter maturation time, aiming to reduce stubble burning and other agricultural challenges.
Development of Pusa-2090
Pusa-2090 is a result of crossbreeding between the high-yielding Pusa-44 and CB-501, an early-maturing Japonica rice variety. By combining the best traits of both, Pusa-2090 is designed to provide high yields while shortening the time needed to grow the crop.
- Developed by: Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi
- Genetic Features: A hybrid between Pusa-44 and CB-501, known for its early maturation.
Comparison: Pusa-2090 vs Pusa-44
Pusa-2090 brings several advantages over Pusa-44, which are crucial for improving farming practices in the region.
| Feature | Pusa-2090 | Pusa-44 |
|---|---|---|
| Maturity Time | 120-125 days | 155-160 days |
| Yield | 34-35 quintals per acre | 35-36 quintals per acre |
| Stubble Burning | Less likely | Common |
| Water Requirement | 5-6 fewer irrigations | 29-30 irrigations |
| Suitability for Crop Rotation | Highly suitable | Limited suitability |
Benefits of Pusa-2090
Pusa-2090 addresses several key challenges in rice farming, offering a more sustainable and efficient option for farmers.
- Environmental Impact
- The shorter growing period reduces the likelihood of stubble burning, which is a major source of air pollution.
- Water Efficiency
- Pusa-2090 requires fewer irrigations compared to Pusa-44, making it more suitable for water-scarce regions like Punjab and Haryana.
- Faster Harvesting
- With its shorter maturation time, farmers can harvest Pusa-2090 earlier, allowing them to plant wheat or other crops on time, which improves crop rotation.
- Higher Productivity
- The earlier harvest ensures that fields can be cleared sooner, allowing for efficient use of the land and increasing overall productivity.
Important Points:
Pusa-44 has been widely grown in Punjab and Haryana but has a long maturation time, contributing to stubble burning and air pollution.Pusa-2090, developed by IARI, is a new rice variety that offers similar yields to Pusa-44 but with a shorter maturation period.Development:
- Developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi.
- A hybrid of Pusa-44 and CB-501, an early-maturing Japonica rice line.
Key Comparison: Pusa-2090 vs Pusa-44:
- Maturity Time: Pusa-2090 matures in 120-125 days, while Pusa-44 takes 155-160 days.
- Yield: Both varieties produce similar yields (34-35 quintals per acre for Pusa-2090, 35-36 quintals for Pusa-44).
- Stubble Burning: Less likely with Pusa-2090 due to its earlier harvest, reducing the risk of air pollution.
- Water Requirement: Pusa-2090 requires 5-6 fewer irrigations than Pusa-44.
- Suitability for Crop Rotation: Pusa-2090 is more suitable for crop rotation due to its earlier harvest.
Benefits of Pusa-2090:
- Environmental Impact: Reduces stubble burning and air pollution.
- Water Efficiency: Requires fewer irrigations, making it ideal for water-scarce areas like Punjab and Haryana.
- Faster Harvesting: Early harvest allows timely sowing of wheat or other crops, ensuring better crop rotation.
- Higher Productivity: Earlier harvesting helps clear fields for the next crop, improving land use efficiency.
Why In News
Pusa-44, a high-yield rice variety developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), has been widely cultivated in Punjab and Haryana for decades due to its strong productivity. However, its long maturation period has contributed to delayed harvesting, leading to widespread stubble burning, which in turn causes severe air pollution in northern India, particularly during the post-harvest season. In response to these environmental and logistical challenges, IARI introduced Pusa-2090, a new rice variety that offers similar yields to Pusa-44 but matures in a shorter period, significantly reducing the need for stubble burning and alleviating the pressure on farmers during crop transitions. This innovation is expected to not only improve farming efficiency but also address critical environmental concerns related to rice cultivation.
MCQs about Pusa-2090
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What is the primary environmental issue caused by the long maturation period of Pusa-44?
A. Soil erosion
B. Water scarcity
C. Stubble burning
D. Pest infestations
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How does Pusa-2090 differ from Pusa-44 in terms of maturation time?
A. Pusa-2090 matures in 90-100 days
B. Pusa-2090 matures in 120-125 days
C. Pusa-2090 matures in 155-160 days
D. Pusa-2090 matures in 180 days
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What is one of the key benefits of Pusa-2090 for farmers in Punjab and Haryana?
A. It requires more water for irrigation than Pusa-44
B. It allows for timely sowing of wheat or other crops
C. It has a lower yield than Pusa-44
D. It is more resistant to pests than Pusa-44
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Which of the following is a major advantage of using Pusa-2090 over Pusa-44 in terms of water usage?
A. Pusa-2090 requires 5-6 more irrigations than Pusa-44
B. Pusa-2090 requires the same amount of water as Pusa-44
C. Pusa-2090 requires 5-6 fewer irrigations than Pusa-44
D. Pusa-2090 is not suited for water-scarce regions
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