Yogesh Kumar and M.S. Anantha
Abstract
Analyses of yield data for the drought year and the normal year revealed that variety Naveen had marginal advantage over Sahbhagidhan across the locations (Ranchi, Palamau, Dumka) in a normal year but yield reduction was marginally less in Sahbhagidhan during the drought year. Hybrid PAC 801 was found promising and suitable for cultivation in above districts with minimum yield reduction under drought. As Jharkhand is a drought prone state, selecting drought tolerant high yielding varieties and hybrids will be more acceptable. It is however, notable that failure to transplant rice in the event of delayed monsoons, asit happened with farmers during 2010, would need to be addressed with alternative options like direct seeding. High yielding varieties like Naveen, Sahabhagidhan and hybrids like PAC 801 and BSTEZ, in early / medium maturity (110-130 days) group can withstand drought and provide yield stability. SahabjagiDhan has sown promising in several districts of Jharkhand under direct seeded conditions.