High Yielding Paddy Variety: Pusa Samba 1850
30 May 2026, New Delhi: Pusa Samba 1850 is a high yielding paddy variety developed through Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi. It is a blast-resistant near-isogenic line (NIL) derived from BPT 5204 (Samba Mahsuri) — one of the most popular non-Basmati rice varieties in India, particularly in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Pusa Samba 1850 addresses the blast susceptibility of its parent by incorporating three blast resistance genes, delivering a variety that combines Samba Mahsuri’s beloved grain quality with substantially improved disease protection.
Three-Gene Blast Resistance
The blast resistance of Pusa Samba 1850 is built on a strong genetic foundation by pyramiding three blast resistance genes — Pi54, Pi1, and Pita — into the Samba Mahsuri background. The use of three complementary resistance genes significantly enhances the durability and breadth of blast resistance, making it much harder for the blast pathogen (Magnaporthe oryzae) to overcome the plant’s defences. This three-gene resistance architecture makes Pusa Samba 1850 one of the most robustly blast-resistant versions of the Samba Mahsuri type available.
Yield, Maturity, and Grain Quality
Pusa Samba 1850 achieves an average yield of 4.77 t/ha (20.0–24.0 q/acre) with a seed-to-seed maturity of 140 to 145 days. As a near-isogenic line of BPT 5204, it retains the fine grain, good cooking quality, soft cooked texture, and pleasant flavour of Samba Mahsuri — widely regarded as one of the best-tasting rice varieties in India. Consumers familiar with Samba Mahsuri will find Pusa Samba 1850 to be identical in eating and cooking quality, grown with significantly reduced fungicide inputs.
Quick Reference Table
| Parameter | Details |
| Variety Name | Pusa Samba 1850 |
| Type | MAS-derived Blast Resistant NIL of BPT 5204 (Samba Mahsuri) |
| Developed By | ICAR-IARI, New Delhi |
| Yield | 4.77 t/ha (20.0–24.0 q/acre) |
| Days to Maturity | 140–145 days (seed to seed) |
| Blast Resistance Genes | Pi54, Pi1, Pita (Three-Gene Pyramid) |
| Seed Requirement | 5 kg per acre |
| Cultivation Type | Irrigated Transplanted |
| Grain Quality | On par with BPT 5204 (Samba Mahsuri) |
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