FAISAL CANOLA: A NEW HIGH YIELDING CANOLA VARIETY FOR GENERAL CULTIVATION IN PUNJAB

Faisal Canola (RBN-03060) was developed at Oilseeds Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad, Pakistan from a cross KS-75 x Rainbow. It was selected through pedigree method during the year 1998-99. Homozygous progenies of pedigree number F6-6052 were bulked in 2003-04 for yield evaluation. Its performance was evaluated in station, zonal, micro and national uniform rapeseed yield trials (NURYT). RBN-03060 proved its worth in all yield trials and performed better than all existing varieties. Its maximum potential (2778 kg/ha) was achieved in 2008-09 in NURYT at Regional Agricultural Research Institute, Bahawalpur. It produced 64 percent higher yield in micro yield trials during 2006-07. Similarly, its yield surpassed the checks by 12-20 percent in NURYT during 2007-08 to 2008-09. The new strain showed tolerance against insect pests and diseases specially Alternaria blight, powdery mildew, downy mildew and white rust. The agronomic studies revealed that this variety fits well in existing agronomic package of technology. The new strain RBN-03060 named as Faisal Canola was released during the year 2011 as canola version for commercial cultivation both in irrigated and barani zones of the Punjab.