Innovation: New wheat varieties developed

Centre puts off decision after strong opposition from provincial govt.

MULTAN: Agriculture scientists have developed two new wheat varieties that will give enhance production and be disease-resistant.

Trials of the varieties — Aari 2010 and Aas 2010 — have been successfully completed and the Punjab Seed Council (PSC) will give a final approval in its upcoming meeting for sowing of the varieties, Director Wheat Ayub Agriculture Research Institute (AARI), Makhdoom Hussain, said by phone on Saturday.

Agriculture experts introduce new varieties every four to five years because old varieties, after having passed the process of multiplication and sowing for four to five seasons, start giving less yield, experts said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28^th, 2010.