Stating this, Dr N S Malhi, Director, Extension, PAU, said besides these, the university has released seven improved varieties after a meeting of the State Variety Approval Committee held on March 1. These include Pusa-1121 of rice, Punjab Basmati-2, LH-2076 of cotton, Punjab Sweet Corn-1, CoH-119 of sugarcane, PSH-569 of sunflower and mash-114 of kharif mash.

As per PAU scientists, RCH 308 is a bollworm-resistant hybrid with broad-lobed leaves and green plant body. It matures in 165-175 days and gives an average yield of 8.0 quintal per acre. RCH 314 gives an average seed cotton yield of 8.2 quintal per acre and matures in 165-175 days.

Meanwhile, Kheti Virasat Mission (KVM), an NGO, has not welcomed these varieties. "It is quiet unfortunate that Indian public sector agriculture research centres are falling prey to the market agenda of multi-national seed corporations, like Monsanto," said Umender Dutt, KVM convener.