There are 3 kinds of rice varieties in Pakistan, which are produced for local consumption and export. These are Basmati (aromatic), IRRI variety (medium long grain) and bold grain (cold tolerant varieties). Throughout the world, Basmati rice is quite famous for its pleasant aroma combined with eating qualities and perfect cooking. The medium long grain rice varieties are usually produced in Sindh region and provide superior yield than basmati rice varieties.

List of rice varieties in Pakistan

Ahmed and Akram (2007) have made a considerable effort to consolidate all the rice varieties grown in Pakistan. The rice varieties are as follows:

Name of rice varietyRelease year
Basmati 370 1933
JP-51965
Basmati Pak1968
IR61971
Basmati 1981972
Kashmir Nafes1981
DR 821982
KS 2821983
DR 831983
Swat 11984
Swat 21984
Basmati 3851988
Shadab1988
Sada Hayat1988
DR 921993
Shut 921993
Pakhal1996
Rachna basmati1996
Super Basmati1996
Kushboo 951996
Saheen basmati2001
Basmat 20002001
NIAB-IR(2001
Sarshar2003

Rice varieties in Punjab

Basmati Rice (fine long grain and aromatic) is popular in Punjab for cultivation. Punjab’s climate and soil work to the advantage of the production of Basmati rice varieties. The soil is either sandy with good drainage or limited with good drainage. Locally grown rice varieties in Punjab are as follows:

  1. Basmati 370 
    Year of release1933
    AGRONOMIC TRAITS
    Plant height (cm) 172
    Tillers/hill (No.) 11
    Maturity days (No.)115-120
    Leaf habitsDroopy
    StemWeak
    Grains/panicle115
    Paddy Grain
    Length (mm)9.50
    Breadth (mm)2.20
    Milling Recovery (%)
    Total 70.4
    Head Rice62.3
    Milled Grain
    Length (mm)6.70
    Breadth (mm)1.60
    LIB ratio4.19
    Size Long
    ShapeSlender
  2. Mushkan-7 
    Muskan-7
    Plant height (cm)175
    Tillers/hill (No.10
    Paddy Grain Length (mm)9.50
    Paddy Grain breadth (mm)2.10
    Milled GrainDeep Chocolate Color
    Milled Grain Length (mm)6.70
    Milled Grain breadth (mm)1.92
    L/B ratio 3.50
  3. Jhona-349 
    Jhona-340
    Plant height (cm)175
    Tillers/hill (No.)12
    Maturity days (No.)95
    Paddy Grain Length (mm)9.09
    Paddy Grain Breadth (mm)2.33
    Milled Grain Length (mm)
    6.36
    Milled Grain Breadth (mm)2.00
    LIB ratio2.86
  4. Mushkan-41 
    Mushkan - 41
    Paddy Grain - Length (mm)9.72
    Paddy Grain Breadth (mm) 2.00
    Milled Grain Light Chocolate Colour
    Milled Grain Length (mm) 6.80
    Milled Grain Breadth (mm)1.90
    LIB ratio 3.54
  5. Sathra-278 
    Sathra -278
    Plant height (cm) 150
    Paddy Grain Length (mm)9.54
    Paddy Grain Breadth (mm) 2.30
    Milled Grain Length (mm)6.70
    Milled Grain Breadth (mm) 2.20
  6. Mahlar-346 
    Mahlar-346
    Paddy Grain Length (mm)9.4
    Paddy Grain Breadth (mm)2.56
    Milled Grain Length (mm)6.55
    Milled Grain Breadth (mm)2.08
    LIB ratio 3.14
  7. Palman 246 
    Palman 246 
    Paddy Grain Length (mm9.9
    Paddy Grain Breadth (mm)
    Milled Grain Length (mm)6.9
    Milled Grain Breadth (mm)1.7
    L/B ratio4.05
  8. C-622 
    C-622 
    Paddy Grain Length (mm)9.40
    Paddy Grain Breadth (mm)2.10
    Milled Grain Length (mm)6.90
    Milled Grain Breadth (mm)1.7
  9. Basmati Pak 
    Basmati Pak Rice
    Paddy Grain Length (mm)10.9
    Breadth(mm) 2.20
    Milling Recovery Total (%)70.0
    Head Rice60.0
    Milled Grain Length (mm)7.70
    Milled Grain Breadth (mm) 1.80
    L/B ratio4.27
  10. IRRI-8 
    IR-8
    Paddy Grain Length (mm)8.81
    Paddy Grain Breadth
    (mm)
    2.65
    Milled Grain Length (mm)6.40
    Breadth (mm)2.80
  11. IRRI-6 
    IR-6
    Paddy Grain Length (mm)9.70
    Breadth (mm)2.40
    Milled Grain Length (mm)6.62
    Breadth (mm) 1.90
  12. BASMATI – 198 
    BASMATI - 198
    Paddy Grain Length
    (mm
    9.70
    Breadth (mm)2.26
    Milled Grain Length (mm)6.9
    Breadth (mm)1.90
  13. PK 177 
    PK 177
    Milled Grain Length (mm)6.9
    Breadth (mm) 4.31
    Paddy Grain Length (mm)9.8
    Breadth (mm) 2.3
  14. KS 282 
    KS - 282
    Paddy Grain Length (mm)9.80
    Breadth (mm)2.30
    Milling Recovery' (%) Total 72,4
    Head Rice58.5
    Milled Grain Length (mm)6.7
    Breadth (mm)2.00
  15. BASMATI – 385 
    BASMATI - 385
    Paddy Grain Length (mm)9.60
    Breadth (mm)2.2
    Milling Recovery' (%) Total 71.7
    Head Rice65.2
    Milled Grain Length (mm)6.8
    Breadth (mm)1.6
    SizeLong
    ShapeSlender
    Protein (%)8.1
    Amylose (%)23.18
    AromaModerate
  16. SUPER BASMATI RICE 
    SUPER BASMATI RICE
    Paddy Grain Length (mm)11.2
    Breadth (mm)2.11
    Milling Recovery' (%) Total 69.7
    Head Rice58.8
    Milled Grain Length (mm)7.4
    Breadth (mm)1.6
    SizeExtra Long
    ShapeSlender
    Protein (%)8.9
    Amylose (%)24.8
    AromaStrong
  17. BASMATI – 2000 
    BASMATI - 2000
    Paddy Grain Length (mm)10.89
    Breadth (mm)1.97
    Milling Recovery' (%) Total 69.5
    Head Rice53
    Milled Grain Length (mm)7.68
    Breadth (mm)1.83
    SizeExtra Long
    ShapeSlender
    Protein (%)8.1
    Amylose (%)25.2
    AromaStrong
  18. KASHMIR NAFEES 
    KASHMIR NAFEES
    Paddy Grain Length (mm)9.8
    Breadth (mm)2.3
    Milling Recovery' (%) Total 68
    Head Rice52
    Milled Grain Length (mm)6.61
    Breadth (mm)1.80
    Size Long
    ShapeSlender
    Protein (%)6.5
    Amylose (%)20.15
    AromaStrong
  19. RACHNA BASMATI 
    NIAB IR9
    Paddy Grain Length (mm)10.5
    Breadth (mm)2.4
    Milling Recovery' (%) Total 68.0
    Head Rice51.5
    Milled Grain Length (mm)6.87
    Breadth (mm)1.6
    Size Long
    ShapeSlender
    Protein (%)7.23
    Amylose (%)22.29
    AromaNil
  20. NIAB IR9 
    NIAB IR9
    Paddy Grain Length (mm)10.5
    Breadth (mm)2.4
    Milling Recovery' (%) Total 68.0
    Head Rice51.5
    Milled Grain Length (mm)6.87
    Breadth (mm)1.6
    Size Long
    ShapeSlender
    Protein (%)7.23
    Amylose (%)22.29
    AromaNil
  21. SHAHEEN BASMATI 
    SHAHEEN BASMATI
    Paddy Grain Length (mm)9.88
    Breadth (mm)2.0
    Milling Recovery' (%) Total 68.4
    Head Rice62.75
    Milled Grain Length (mm)7.23
    Breadth (mm)1.77
    Size Extra Long
    ShapeSlender
    Protein (%)7
    Amylose (%)22.96
    AromaModerate