SKO-244 released for cultivation in J&K, HP, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab

Srinagar: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir developed forage oats variety has been released recently at the National Level for Hill and North Western Zones of the country.
The variety combines high green forage yield with enhanced quality and is suitable for cultivation in J&K, HP, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab.It was recently released in the National Group Meet (Rabi) on AICRP on Forage Crops & Utilization held at Pune.
The variety has been developed under AICRP on Forages operational at Dryland Agriculture Research Station, Rangreth (A constituent unit of SKUAST-K) and will be named Shalimar Fodder Oats-7. The Scientists involved in the development of the variety are Dr. N. S. Khuroo (Professor/OIC, AICRP-FCU Srinagar Centre) as Principal Breeder, Dr. Z. A. Dar (Professor GPB), Dr. GulZaffar (Professor-retd) as Co-Breeders and Dr. Zahida Rashid, Dr. Syed Ansar-ul-Haq as Agronomists.
The variety has been developed by following a pedigree-based selection approach involving exotic x local approach and has shown 10.0 and 14% green fodder yield advantage over the best national checks namely Kent and OS-6 and has shown an average green fodder yield of 455q/ha. The variety has shown response to high doses of inputs and resistant reaction to various diseases and pests.
The release of variety assumes significance as it will augment the fodder seed requirement of the state for which SKUAST-K has started work in the right earnest by signing an MoU with M/s Khyber Greens to take up large scale seed production of fodder crops notably oats and maize, the endeavor is expected to produce 5000q seed of oats after two cycles of multiplication which will go a long way in resolving the seed demand of the valley which relies heavily on fodder import and has a fodder deficit of 48%.
While congratulating the team of Developers and Collaborating Scientists at DARS, Rangreth, Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-K Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, directed to upscale the seed production and utilize seed production hubs across J&K to reduce the deficit of fodders in the valley so that the dairy industry reaps the rewards and enhances employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

KR Desk