Dadaji Ramaji Khobragade hails from a small forest village Nanded in Naghbid taluka. Khobragade selected and bred the DRK rice variety from “Deepak Ratna” variety, which was developed by him. He initially recognised the special characters in 1998 and after 6 years of purification he was able to establish the variety. The selection was based on phenotypic characters viz. intermediate plant height and lengthy spike. The fact that they were free from biotic and abiotic stress was also considered.
Deepak Ratna was neither notified nor protected. The initial material has been acquired from his field of Deepak Ratna variety. He provided the seed of the variety to farmers of his locality and Bilaspur (Madhya Pradesh). The farmers have given good feedback to Dadaji Ramaji.
Distinct characteristics of the variety:
- Higher yielder (60-80 Qtls/ha)
- Number of earhead (6 to 10)
- Intermediate plant height (130 cm.)
- Lengthy spike with white colour (22 cm)
- Maturity period is 140 days after sowing
- Grains are medium long with slender shape
- Grain have good cooking quality and taste
- Resistance to biotic and abiotic stress
- Synchronous maturity
