BARS-09: A HIGH YIELDING AND RUST RESISTANT WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) VARIETY FOR RAINFED AREAS OF PUNJAB.

BARS-09 is a semi dwarf, rust resistant, drought tolerant and high yielding wheat variety developed as a result of consistent breeding efforts from the year 1999-2007 at Barani Agricultural Research Station (BARS), Fatehjang, Pakistan. The variety was developed from the cross "PFAU/SERI//BOW" and selected from the 16th Semi Arid Wheat Screening Nursery. The genotype was evaluated in multiple trials (preliminary, adaptation, station and regular) from 1999-2000 to 2002-03 under the varietal code 99FJ03. It was further tested in micro yield trial (rainfed) conducted at seven locations in Punjab during 2003-04. The line was also evaluated in National Uniform Yield Trial (rainfed) for two consecutive years 2005 to 2007. It stood third in National Uniform Yield Trials (2006-07) conducted both in Punjab and Pakistan. BARS-09 has shown yield potential of 5613 kg per hectare at Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal during 2006-07. This variety was approved by Punjab Seed Council during the year 2009 for general cultivation in rainfed areas. BARS-09 is shorter in height (95-98 cm), takes 160-175 days to mature, medium in ear size, has high tillering capacity (480/cm2) and 41.17 g 1000-grain weight. The variety performs better at seed rate of 100 kg and NPK dose of 90-60-30 kg per hectare. It has also shown tolerance against drought and leaf/yellow and stem rusts. It would be a good choice to boost up the wheat production particularly in barani areas of the Punjab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]