LAHORE: The scientists of Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad has successfully developed a new variety of wheat 'UG99' which is resistant to stem rust disease of wheat. The disease poses world-wide threat to wheat productivity and productive approach of AARI scientists to solve this problem would prove highly beneficial for the country.

This was stated by Dr Muhammad Rashid, Director General Agriculture (Research), while briefing Colonel Shuja Khanzada (R), Chairman, Chief Minister Task Force on Agriculture. Dr Rashid further stated that institute has developed 373 new varieties of crops, fruits and vegetablesSuper Basmati variety developed by AARI scientists has been adopted by India and the legal action has been initiated by Pakistani Government for this action. The institute has successfully developed varieties resistant to cotton leaf curl virus. The sugarcane varieties developed by the institute possess high sugar recovery and contributed in increasing sugar production in the country.

Research work has been successful in developing hybrid varieties of oilseeds, maize and vegetables. Sunflower hybrid FH-37 developed by AARI scientists possess yield potential of 4348-kg per hectare, whereas Hysun-33 imported hybrid gives yields only 3660 kg/hectare.

A new gram variety Punjab 2008 has also been developed which would increase production of pulses in country.Co lShuja Khanzada (R), Chairman, Chief Minister Task Force on agriculture commended the efforts of agricultural scientists in the field of agriculture research and stressed the need to providing maximum facilities to the scientists for improving the quality of agriculture research. He also visited research field areas and laboratories of the institute and observed ongoing research work.