Ludhiana: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has developed and released a new wheat variety, PBW 887, for timely sown and irrigated conditions in Punjab, reporting higher yield potential, good grain quality and moderate resistance to major diseases.PBW 887 recorded 1.4% higher yield than PBW 872, released by PAU last year, 3.8% higher than PBW 826 and 12.5% higher than DBW 222 in multi-year research and adaptive trials conducted in 2024-25 and 2025-26.The variety has an average yield potential of 24.6 quintals per acre. It is medium-maturing, taking about 155 days, with an average plant height of 102cm and high tillering ability. It produces bold, dense and attractive grains.Dr GS Mavi, principal wheat breeder at PAU, said PBW 887 had been developed for Punjab’s production conditions while also improving nutritional quality.“PBW 887 combines high yield potential with desirable plant architecture, good grain characteristics and tolerance to major diseases. Importantly, it also has higher protein and iron content, making it a nutritionally superior option along with its yield advantages,” he said.PAU said the variety showed moderate resistance to yellow rust, brown rust and Karnal bunt under natural and artificial disease pressure.Mavi said PBW 887 had zinc and iron content exceeding 40 ppm and protein content above 12%. “Besides productivity, breeding programmes are increasingly focusing on improving the nutritional quality of wheat,” he said.The university said PBW 887 in 40kg packs would be available at its Kisan Melas next month.PAU has also developed PBW 927 for restricted irrigation and rainfed conditions, particularly in the Kandi belt and areas with poor-quality or unavailable groundwater. It recorded 14.5% higher yield than PBW 644 and 12.4% higher than PBW 660 under restricted irrigation, and 12.3% and 5.5% higher yields respectively under rainfed conditions.PBW 927 has an average yield of 18.5 quintals per acre under restricted irrigation and 17.5 quintals under rainfed conditions and is resistant to yellow and brown rust.
