NEW KASHMIR WHEAT VARIETIES

NEWS: Scientists at SKUAST-K (Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology) have developed early-maturing wheat varieties for Kashmir to solve problems in the rice–wheat cropping cycle

Cropping Pattern in Kashmir

• Wheat = Rabi crop (sown in October)
• Rice = Kharif crop (dominant crop in Kashmir)
• Normal cycle: Wheat harvest → May–June, Paddy transplantation → May–June

The Issue:

• Earlier wheat varieties matured too late (June/July)
• Farmers could not vacate fields on time
• Rice transplantation got delayed
• Rice–Wheat rotation system broke down
• This affected: Food security, Farmer income, Crop productivity

SKUAST-K developed:

• Shalimar Wheat-3 (SW-3) – matures in early June
• Shalimar Wheat-4 (SW-4) – matures by late May
• Key Goal: Timely harvest before paddy season, maintain rice–wheat cropping cycle

Key Features of New Wheat Varieties

• Early Maturity: SW-4: Late May maturity, SW-3: Early June maturity
• Helps in: Timely rice transplantation, efficient crop rotation, resistant to Yellow Rust (major fungal disease in Kashmir), reduces crop losses, improves yield stability
• Dual Utility (Grain + Fodder)àProvides grain for food, straw used as winter fodder (important in cold regions)
• High Yield Potential: Productivity up to ~38 quintals/hectare, comparable to high-yielding varieties