June 2, 2004

Pakistan Develops Wheat Varieties For Drought Conditions

Pakistani scientists have developed two wheat varieties that can produce high yields even in drought conditions.

The new varieties, named QS-I and QS-II, had been developed by the Quaid-e-Awam Agriculture Research Institute at Larkana in Sindh keeping in mind the acute water shortage in the province, The News Tuesday quoted institute director Ahmed Nawaz Naich as saying.

"QS-I has a 130-day maturity period. Its yield is 55 maunds (2,050 kg) per acre in semi-drought conditions and 25 maunds (932 kg) per acre in drought conditions.

"QS-II has a 150-day maturity period and gives 50 maunds (1,885 kg) per acre in semi-drought conditions and 20 maunds (745 kg) in drought conditions," Naich said.

Both varieties could be grown as the second crop after paddy, when water was not available, Naich added.