Monitoring wheat varietal diffusion in the irrigated Punjab: Results from 1987-88

Abstract

Recommended wheat varieties play a significant role in increasing wheat productivity. Wheat breeders at different research institutes in Pakistan are continuously working to develop rust and disease resistant varleties. Evidence suggests that over time improved wheat varieties lose their yield potential and their disease resistance breaks down (Plucknett and Smith, 1986). Adoption of new improved wheat varieties in Pakistan's Punjab is rather slow. (Akhtar et al 1986, 1987). Promising cultivars that were released seven years ago are still not widely adopted by Punjab farmers. Information on the extent of adoption of these varieties is not readily available. Annual monitoring of wheat varieties is needed to assess the areas under different cultivars. These data and information are useful for breeders at research stations, extension agents and policy makers. For 1985-86 and 1986-87 the Agricultural Economics Research Unit, Faisalabad, reported on wheat varieties in the most important cropping systems of the irrigated Punjab. The major purpose of this report is to present the extent of diffusion and adoption of wheat varieties for 1987-88 in the same areas