CAZRI Moth Bean Varieties Demonstrate Remarkable Resilience During El Niño Year

Key Highlights:

• The ICAR–Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Jodhpur, developed four new moth bean varieties: CAZRI Moth-4, CAZRI Moth-5, CAZRI Moth-6, CAZRI Moth-7.
• These varieties demonstrated remarkable resilience during a 35-day prolonged moisture stress period in the Kharif 2026 El Niño year.
• Moth bean is a crucial pulse crop for the hot arid regions of western Rajasthan, cultivated over nearly 10 lakh hectares.
• The new varieties maintained green appearance, growth, and pod development despite a significant dry spell coinciding with reproductive stages.
• Seed multiplication is underway at CAZRI and by agencies like Rajasthan State Seeds Corporation, National Seeds Corporation, and private players for the Saathi Portal.

Detailed Insights:

• Moth bean productivity in western Rajasthan is typically low due to erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells.
• The new varieties exhibit developmental plasticity, allowing them to adjust growth and maturity based on soil moisture availability.
• Their performance underscores the importance of genetic improvement for climate-resilient agriculture in harsh environments.
• Effective crop management practices, including timely sowing and moisture conservation, are crucial for these varieties to achieve their full genetic potential.
• Wider adoption of these resilient varieties could significantly enhance moth bean cultivation and farmer income in the Thar Desert.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• El Niño: A climate pattern characterized by unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean, influencing global weather.
• Developmental Plasticity: The ability of an organism to alter its growth and development in response to environmental conditions.
• Rhizosphere: The narrow region of soil directly surrounding plant roots, influenced by root secretions and associated microorganisms.