TIJABAN-10 A DROUGHT TOLERANT AND HIGH YIELDING WHEAT VARIETY FOR RAINFED/SAILABA AREAS OF BALOCHISTAN

Tijaban-10 a drought tolerant wheat variety was developed by Arid Zone Research Centre for rainfed (Sailaba/Khushkaba) areas of Balochistan and has been released by Balochistan Seed Council in 2010. Tijaban-10 is a semi dwarf wheat variety with high tillering capacity, high yield, bold grain and improved drought tolerance. The variety posses high protein content (13.29 %), high wet gluten (29.91%) and dry gluten (10.04%). The yield potential of Tijaban-10 was tested (1997-2008) in different yield trials (PYT, AYT) at AZRC, Quetta, micro plot trials and national trials over multiple locations in rainfed areas of Balochistan and Pakistan. The variety showed stability and wide adoptability under prevalent biotic (Rust and Insect/pest) and abiotic (drought and cold) stress of highland Balochistan. The line was tested over wide range of locations with extreme variation (cold and drought) in rainfed/Sailaba areas of Balochistan (Quetta, Mastung, Killa Saifullah and Loralai). Tijaban-10 produced higher yield in National Uniform Wheat Yield Trial (NUWYT) conducted by National Coordinated Program (NARC) Islamabad during 2006-07 in rainfed areas of Pakistan. Tijaban-10 out yielded check cultivars (AZRI-96, Sariba-92 & Local White) during yield trials in different agro-ecological zones of highland Balochistan with an increase of 20-34% over check cultivars. Tijaban-10 also yielded higher in micro plot (2005-2007) yield trials and produced 25-50% increased yield as compared to check cultivars. Tijaban-10 produced 6 % higher grain yield in National Uniform Yield Trial (2006-07) than check genotypes in pooled analysis all over Pakistan with potential yield of 7000 kg ha(-1). It showed 5MS-10MS susceptibility to yellow rust strain of highland Balochistan while it showed resistant to leaf rust when tested in natural conditions of rainfed areas. The variety possesses desirable quality characteristics such as better chapatti quality; improved protein (13.29%) and higher harvest index (30-38%). This variety showed high acceptability/popularity among the farming communities of Balochistan and a new addition in genetic diversity of germplasm/cultivars already available in rainfed areas of Balochistan with significant improvement in farmers yield.