New Paddy Variety

The University of Agriculture and Horticulture in Shivamogga has developed a new paddy variety, Sahyadri Megha to tackle the decrease in paddy cultivation area.

Sahyadri Megha

The Sahyadri Megha is a variety of red rice developed by crossing Jyothi variety of paddy with Akkalu variety. The Akkalu paddy is noted for its disease resistance and high protein content. The new variety is resistant to blast disease and is nutrient rich.

Blast Disease

The blast disease is caused by a fungus called rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe grisea). It also affects other commercially important cereal crops like pearl millet, wheat, rye, barley etc.  The disease is characterised by the formation of lesions with dark or necrotic borders all over the shoot.

Red Rice

Certain varieties of paddy plants produces red rice. The red color is due to the presence of the pigment called anthocyanin. The red rice has more nutritional value than the conventional rice varieties and a distinctive nutty flavour. There are several red rice varieties in India including Jyothi that was used in breeding the Sahyadri Megha, Matta rice, the nearly extinct Rakthashali variety, etc.