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ICAR Clears 28 Wheat and Barley Varieties Before Sowing

13 October 20251 min read
AGRICULTURE & RURALICAR Clears 28Wheat and BarleyVarieties BeforeSowing13 October 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

Just before wheat sowing, ICAR cleared 28 fresh varieties, which now go to the Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties (CSN&RV).

Key facts

  • Screening body: Varietal Identification Committee (VIC).
  • Scrutiny: closer monitoring, since farmers had not adopted some released varieties, especially in areas unsuitable for wheat.
  • Timing benefit: seed firms can make breeder seed, supporting wheat output amid rising consumption.
InstitutionOutcome
PAU2: PBW 906 (central zone), PBW 915 (North-East Plain Zone)
IARI7 of 11 wheat varieties
IIWBR2 of 6 wheat and all 3 barley varieties

Exam angle

  • Numbers: 46 requests, 28 cleared.
  • Expansions: IARI, IIWBR, PAU.

Test yourself

1. How many new wheat and barley varieties did ICAR approve for CSN&RV consideration?

ICAR approved 28 varieties out of 46 requests.

2. Which two Punjab Agriculture University varieties were approved, as described in the notes?

PBW 906 and PBW 915 were approved, both rust-resistant and high-yielding.

3. Which committee identified the wheat and barley varieties for approval before CSN&RV?

The Varietal Identification Committee (VIC) screened the requests.