Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Basmati rice is a premium class of aromatic rice varieties native to the Indian subcontinent, characterized by long, slender grains, a distinct aroma, and significant elongation upon cooking.
To improve grain quality and agricultural yields, crop breeders at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) developed several improved basmati cultivars.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Pusa Basmati 1121 is a landmark basmati rice cultivar released in 2003 by the IARI.
It was developed through hybridization followed by pedigree selection.
This variety is officially recognized as the world's first superfine aromatic basmati cultivar that exhibits extraordinary cooked kernel elongation.
The raw grain length of Pusa Basmati 1121 is approximately 7.5 to 8.4 mm, and it can elongate up to 20 to 22 mm upon cooking without bursting or curving.
This variety transformed the basmati export market, accounting for a major share of India's basmati exports.
Other varieties:
- Pusa Rice Hybrid-10 was the world's first aromatic basmati hybrid, rather than a standard select cultivar.
- Pusa 1460 (Improved Pusa Basmati 1) was developed with bacterial blight resistance.
- Vandana is a non-aromatic upland rice variety.
Therefore, Pusa Basmati 1121 is the correct superfine cultivar.
Step 3: Final Answer
The first superfine aromatic basmati rice cultivar is Pusa Basmati 11