We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry. current time
MACS-ARI Expand Four New Wheat Varieties to Curb Late Sowing and Climate Stress
Researchers at the Agharkar Research Institute (MACS-ARI) have developed four new wheat varieties designed to deliver stable yields across different growing conditions, including delayed planting in Maharashtra’s sugarcane-growing regions.
The new varieties—MACS 4135 (MACS Mahabal), MACS 6830 (MACS Shivneri), MACS 6837 (MACS Vindhya) and MACS 6854 (MACS Tamhini)—have been identified by the Variety Identification Committee (VIC) under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Wheat and Barley Improvement.
The varieties are now awaiting consideration by the Central Variety Release Committee (CVRC) for official notification. Once notified, they can be taken up for commercial cultivation.
Researchers said the development addresses the need for wheat varieties that can complete their growth cycle within shorter planting windows without significant yield losses. This is particularly relevant in Maharashtra’s sugarcane belt, where harvesting operations can delay wheat sowing and expose crops to higher temperatures during grain development.
The breeding programme was led by Yashwantkumar K J, lead breeder at MACS-ARI, with contributions from rust pathologist Sudhir Navathe, agronomist Vijendra Baviskar and quality scientist Manoj Oak.
MACS Shivneri Aims Sowing Too Late
Among the four releases, MACS Shivneri has been developed specifically for late and very late sowing in the peninsular zone (PZ), covering Maharashtra and other parts of the peninsular region.
The bread wheat variety matures in around 102 days and maintained a yield of 35.58 quintals per hectare under very late sowing conditions. Across trials, it produced an average yield of 47 quintals per hectare, while its highest recorded yield reached 65.4 quintals per hectare.
MACS Shivneri also showed nutritional and quality characteristics, with 12.9% protein, 40.9 ppm zinc and 44.5 ppm iron. Its chapati quality score was recorded at 7.4.
MACS Tamhini Shows Limited Yield Loss Under Delayed Planting
MACS Tamhini has been developed for both the peninsular zone and central zone (CZ). It completes maturity in approximately 103–106 days.
In trials, the variety achieved average yields of 47.4 quintals per hectare in the PZ and 48.7 quintals per hectare in the CZ. Maximum yields reached 69.5 quintals per hectare in the PZ and 69.9 quintals per hectare in the CZ.
Researchers reported that yield losses under late and very late sowing remained relatively limited, ranging from 10.6% to 18.4% across the trials. The variety also demonstrated resistance to leaf and stem rust, while protein content ranged between 12.3% and 13.3%.
MACS Mahabal Designed for Timely-Sown Durum Wheat
For farmers able to sow on time, MACS Mahabal has been developed as a durum wheat variety for the peninsular and central zones.
The variety recorded average yields of 52.5 quintals per hectare in the PZ and 59.6 quintals per hectare in the CZ. Maximum trial yields stood at 78.2 quintals per hectare and 84.2 quintals per hectare, respectively.
MACS Mahabal reaches maturity in around 105 days in the PZ and 119 days in the CZ.
Its hard, amber-coloured grains are considered suitable for processing into pasta, semolina and vermicelli. The variety recorded protein content of 11.3%–11.4%, zinc levels of 40–41.2 ppm and iron levels of 38.7–41.3 ppm.
MACS Vindhya Delivers Higher Yield in Central Zone
The fourth variety, MACS Vindhya, is a bread wheat developed for timely sowing under irrigated conditions in the central zone.
It produced an average yield of 57.1 quintals per hectare, with a maximum yield of 72.8 quintals per hectare in trials. Its yield was 3.7% higher than the GW 322 check variety.
MACS Vindhya recorded 12% protein, 35.5 ppm zinc and 35.6 ppm iron, while its chapati quality score was 7.7. Researchers also found the variety resistant to major pathotypes of stem and leaf rust.
Eyes on Climate Resilience and Nutrition
The researchers said the new varieties reflect the institute’s long-running focus on breeding wheat suited to diverse production environments.
“Our wheat improvement programme at MACS-ARI has been running since 1974 and is one of the few programmes that breeds all three types of wheat—Khapli (Emmer), Durum (Bansi/Pasta) and Bread (Sarbati)—under one roof,” said rust pathologist Sudhir Navathe.
He said the development of the four varieties is aimed at supporting farmers while addressing nutritional and climate-related challenges. The varieties cover both timely and delayed sowing conditions and have been selected for traits including yield performance, rust resistance and nutritional quality.
The four varieties are therefore positioned to provide farmers with more suitable wheat options across different sowing windows, particularly in regions where delayed planting and rising temperatures can put pressure on crop productivity.
