High Yielding Paddy Variety: Pusa Basmati 1637
30 May 2026, New Delhi: Pusa Basmati 1637 (IET 24570) is a high yielding paddy variety developed through Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi. It is a near isogenic line (NIL) of the iconic Pusa Basmati 1, incorporating the Pi9 gene for blast resistance. It is recommended for the Basmati-growing regions of Western UP, Delhi NCR, Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Punjab.
Blast Resistance: A Critical Advantage
Pusa Basmati 1637 carries the Pi9 gene, which confers broad-spectrum resistance to leaf blast. In multi-location trials, the variety demonstrated a Severity Index (SI) of just 2.7 in 2014 and 2.9 in 2015, compared to its parent Pusa Basmati 1, which showed a highly susceptible reaction with SI values of 6.1 and 6.5. This dramatic difference underscores the practical value of growing Pusa Basmati 1637 in regions prone to blast outbreaks.
Yield and Grain Quality
Pusa Basmati 1637 achieves an average yield of 4.2 t/ha with a maturity period of 130 days. The grains are long slender (7.3 mm kernel length) with very occasional chalkiness, and kernel length after cooking of 13.8 mm. The variety has a strong characteristic Basmati aroma and fully meets the quality standards required for premium Basmati classification and export.
Quick Reference Table
| Parameter | Details |
| Variety Name | Pusa Basmati 1637 (IET 24570) |
| Type | MAS-derived NIL of Pusa Basmati 1 |
| Developed By | ICAR-IARI, New Delhi |
| Yield | 4.2 t/ha |
| Days to Maturity | 130 days (seed to seed) |
| Blast Resistance Gene | Pi9 |
| Blast Severity Index | 2.7 (2014), 2.9 (2015) |
| Kernel Length (Before Cooking) | 7.3 mm |
| Kernel Length (After Cooking) | 13.8 mm |
| Grain Chalkiness | Very Occasional |
| Aroma | Strong |
| Recommended States | Western UP, Delhi NCR, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab |
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