Super rice

Scientists at the Cuttack-based
Central Rice Research Institute
(CRRI) have developed a high yielding variety of rice called Lunishree
that requires the minimal use of fertilisers, has a high resistance to
salinity and a long grain.

CRRI director B Venketaswarlu
says that Lunishree yields are 28-30
per cent greater than that of other
high yielding paddy varieties.
Further research is being conducted
to reduce to less than 120 days the
period required for the crop to
mature and also to improve
Lunishree's suitability for varying
soil conditions.