Scientists at the Agarwal Research Institute (ARI), Pune, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, have developed MACS 4028, a biofortified variety of durum wheat, which is a high-protein variety.
- This wheat variety, developed by a group of ARI scientists on wheat improvement, has a high protein content of about 14.7%, with superior nutritional quality zinc and iron content of 40.3ppm and 46.1ppm respectively.
- MACS 4028, the development of which was published in the Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding, is a semi-dwarf variety that matures in 102 days and has a good and stable yield potential of 19.3 quintals per hectare.
- It is resistant to stem rust, leaf rust, foliar aphids, root aphids and brown wheat mite.
- MACS 4028, the variety has been included in the Center for Agricultural Science (KVK) program for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to permanently overcome malnutrition and promote the Vision 2022 “Malnourished Free India”, the National Nutrition Strategy So to receive.
Biofortified variety
- Due to lack of nutrients in the body, we are vulnerable to many diseases. Fortified varieties are developed to provide the body with the right amount of essential nutrients. The quantities of iron, zinc, vitamin A and D in these varieties are increased through changes in genes.