Evaluation of Alternate Rice Variety for Replacement of BPT 5204 Suitable for Samba Season in Southern Zone of Tamil Nadu

In Pudukkottai district, Rice is the major crop which is cultivated nearly on 75, 000 ha in rabi season (Sep-Oct). In this season, very old and most disease susceptible variety BPT 5204 is predominantly used by Pudukkottai farmers which has become susceptible to attack of insect pest and diseases. To overcome this problem, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pudukkottai conducted on farm testing (OFT) on alternative rice variety for BPT 5204 during 2015–16. Five trials were laid out at different locations in Pudukkottai. Critical inputs of Paddy varieties like CO 50 and TKM 13 were distributed to the farmers. The parameters like per cent disease incidence (PDI), productive tillers and yield (q/ha) were recorded. The results revealed that rice variety TKM 13 recorded the lowest PDI (5.64) compared to control BPT 5204 (18.84), number of productive tillers was also higher (15.6) in TKM 13 and thus higher (60.04 q/ha) yield was recorded compared to control (54.14 q/ha). It was concluded that, farmers were satisfied with Rice TKM 13 variety due to lower pest and disease incidence and higher yield.