Phule Panchami (RPOSV 3): A new grain popping rabi sorghum variety

Phule Panchami (RPOSV 3) is a new grain popping rabi sorghum variety developed from local land races and was found to be superior in popping over M 35-1, Local-1 and Local-2. It recorded better popping per cent (97.7) as compared to M 35-1 (58.79), Khandesh Local-1 (82) and Jabalpur Local-2 (63). The pops were of extra large whitish colour and fully opened with high expansion volume. It also recorded higher (87.4%) and lower unpopping grain percentage (8.8) on weight basis over the checks. As regards processing losses during popping, it recorded lowest losses (3.8%). Based on nine tests, it gave a mean grain and fodder yield of 1376 and 3808 kg/ha, respectively. Being the higher pop yielder and better quality of pops, RPOSV 3 was characterized as medium group (118–120), mid tall plant height (186 cm) with better biochemical traits viz., starch, protein, total sugars, free amino acid and hectoliter weight. It had high degree of tolerance charcoal rot (26.1%) and moderately tolerance to shootfly (DH % 41.6). The variety RPOSV 3 was therefore, released under the name, Phule Panchami and recommended for western Maharashtra for exclusively special purpose like popping.