Harnessing genetic diversity of basmati rice varieties for organic farming in the Indo-Gangetic plains of Punjab: an evaluation of growth, yield and profitability under low-input conditions

Abstract Evaluation of genotypes is essential for assessing yield stability in organic farming, helping identify suitable cultivars for Punjab’s growers. This is particularly important given the harmful effects of intensive chemical use on soil and water quality, which drives the shift toward organic practices. Unlike conventional methods, organic farming relies on sustainable approaches such as crop rotation, green manure and bio-pesticides to promote agroecosystem health. The experiment was conducted during the Kharif seasons of 2020 and 2021 in a randomised complete block design at the Research Farm of the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab. Ten Basmati varieties, including Punjab Basmati 5, Punjab Basmati 4, Punjab Basmati 3, Punjab Basmati 2, Basmati 386, Basmati 370, CSR 30, Pusa Basmati 1121, Pusa Basmati 1509 and Pusa Basmati 1718, were assessed for the various yield-attributing parameters, such as effective tillers, number of grains per panicle, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield and total biomass. Pusa Basmati 1509 produced the highest grain yield (3.6 tonnes/ha), biomass yield (6.7 tonnes/ha) and harvest index (35.2 %) among all varieties followed by Punjab Basmati 4 and Pusa Basmati 1718. Net returns (INR 122,000 per ha) and benefit-cost ratio (B:C) (2.09) were the highest in Pusa Basmati 1121 because this cultivar fetches higher price in the market due to its superior aroma and cooking quality. The future research could delve into the organic cultivation practices specifically developed for these cultivars, contributing to the development of sustainable and resilient agriculture system in the region.