RICE IN ANDHRA PRADESH - Rice Knowledge Management Portal

RICE IN ANDHRA PRADESH 

Status Paper on Rice in Andhra Pradesh 

Dr. C. Cheralu 

Principal Scientist (Rice Breeding) 

Regional Agricultural Research Station, 

ANGR Agricultural University, 

Warangal 506 007, AP, India 

Page | 1 

For more Information contact: Visit Rice Knowledge Management Portal http://www.rkmp.co.in 

Rice Knowledge Management Portal (RKMP) 

Directorate of Rice Research, 

Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500030. Email: naiprkmp@gmail.com, pdrice@drricar.org, shaiknmeera@gmail.com 

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Introduction 

Andhra Pradesh is the fifth largest state in India accounting for 9 and 8 per cent of the country’s area 

and population, respectively. The state has agriculturally prosperous area in the coastal districts (9 districts), 

an economically and socially backward area in Telangana (10 districts), a drought prone area in Rayalaseema 

(4 districts) and a fairly extended tribal belt, along the Northern and North-Eastern regions. Andhra Pradesh 

has three major river basins (Krishna, Godavari and Pennar) and five other smaller ones drains in to the Bay 

of Bengal. The state has 972 km long coastal line, generally even, along its eastern border, abutting the Bay 

of Bengal. 

Rice is the Principal food crop cultivated throughout the state providing food for its growing 

population, fodder to the cattle and employment to the rural masses. Any decline in its hectarage and 

production will have a perceivable impact on the state’s economy and food security. In A.P rice is mostly 

cultivated under irrigated eco-system under canals (52%), tube wells (19.31) tanks (16.2%), other wells (8.8%) 

and other sources (3.7%). 

III. 

Zonal information 

a. Climate 

By virtue of its location and climate, Andhra Pradesh represents a transition from tropical to sub 

tropical zone of the country. The climate is predominantly semi arid to arid, except for the coastal region on 

the east coast which has humid to sub humid climate. Hot weather (summer) prevails from March to May, 

South West mansoon June to September, North east mansoon-October to December and winter December 

to February. Temperature ranges from 8 o C to 46 o C . 

b. Soil type/Nutrient management 

Andhra Pradesh is endowed with a wide variety of soils, ranging from less fertile coastal sands to 

highly fertile and productive deltaic alluvia (enti soils/verti sols) of the Godavari, Krishna and Pennar rivers 

and the red (alfisol) and black (verti sols) soils, developed from different parent materials. The six major soil 

groups present in the state are red soils (Alfi sols 65%), black soils (verti sols 25%), alluvial soils (Entisols and 

verti sols 5%) Coastal sands (Enti sols 3%), laterite and lataitic soils (Oxisols) and problem soils (Alfi sols & 

Incepti sols 1%) including saline, saline alkali and non saline-alkali soils. 





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c. Rainfall and its distribution pattern 

Rainfall of Andhra Pradesh is influenced by both South West and North-East mansoons. The average 

rainfall of the state is 925 mm, varying from about 520 mm in Anantapur district to 1160 mm in Vizianagaram 

and East Godavari districts. In some years, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, East Godavari, Adilabad and Khammam 

districts have recorded 1400 to 1500 mm rainfall. 

The distribution of annual rainfall in the state as a whole is about 69% during South West monsoon, 

22% during North-East mansoon and 9% during winter and hot weather months. 

d. Agro climatic zones 

Andhra Pradesh state has been divided into 9 Agro-climatic zones based on the amount and 

distribution of rainfall pattern. 

1. North Coastal Zone: Consists of most parts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam districts 

with regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Anakapalli as regional centre. This zone receives 

1000-1100mm rainfall and possesses 12.6% of rice area.. 

2. Godavari Zone: Comprising East and West Godavari districts with regional Agricultural Research 

Station (RARS), Maruteru as regional centre. Annual rainfall varies from 800-1100 mm and has 46.5% 

of rice area of the state.. 

3. Krishna Zone : Consists of Krishna, Guntur, Parts of Prakasham, Krammam and Nalgonda with Regional 

Agricultural Research Station, (RARS), Lam as regional centre. Important soil groups are deltaic 

Alluvium, red soils with clay base, black cotton soils, red loamy coastal sands and saline soils. 

4. Northern Telangana Zone: Comprising Adilabad, Nizamabad and Karimnagar with Regional Agricultural 

Research Station, (RARS), Jagtial as regional centre. Rain fall varies from 900-1150 mm and rice 

occupies 16% of rice area of the state. 

5. Central Telangana Zone: Consisting of Warangal, Medak and Khammam with Regional Agricultural 

Research Station (RARS), Warangal as regional centre. 

6. Southern Telangana Zone: Comprising the districts of Hyderabad Rangareddy, Mahboobnagar, 

Nalgonda with Regional Agricultural Research Station, (RARS) at Palem as regional centre. This zone 

receives 700-900 mm rain fall and has 9.3% of rice area of the state. 





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7. Southern Zone: Includes the districts of Nellore, Chittoor Cadapah with Regional Agricultural Research 

(RARS), at Tirupathi as regional centre. Annual rainfall varies from 

700-1000 mm and has about 12.6% of rice area of the state. 

8. Scarce rainfall zone: Consisting of the districts of Kurnool, Anantapur, Prakasham parts of Cudapah 

and Mahboobnagar with Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) at Nandyal as Regional Centre 

. This zone has 3.8% of rice area. The average annual rainfall ranges from 500-700mm. 

9. High Altitude and Tribal area zone: Covering areas lying along the Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, 

Visakhapatnam, East Godavari and Khammam district with Regional Agricultural Research Station, 

Chintapalli as Regional centre. This zone receives high rainfall of over 1400 mm. 

e) Rice and cultural heritage in the state : 

Rice has a great cultural heritage . Many preparations viz., payasam,paravannam, ondrallu, arshalu, 

laddulu etc., are prepared and offered to the God at the time of worshipping. Rice is one among 

Navadhanyalu at the time of construction of houses (Bhoomipooja) and navagraha pooja.Rice is used 

as THALAMBRALU and AKSHANTHALU while mixing in turmeric powder and also used as 

VADIBIYYAM.Rice flakes (palalu) are used at the time of taking the deadbody to graveyard. Basumathi 

rice is a geographical indicator . 

IV. 

Rice production Scenario 

• Area: Area under rice mostly depends on the mansoon pattern and availability of water in reservoirs. 

Area under rice was high during 2008-09 (43.87 l.ha) and lowest is in 2002-03 (28.22 l.ha) Table-1. 

There is no scope for increasing area under rice and rice area is replaced by some profitable dry crops 

due to in sufficient water. Rice is grown in 28% of gross cropped area and 50% of area under food 

crops round the year in all the districts. Though there is a rise and fall of area and production of rice 

based on water availability, but there is a constant increase in productivity. In the context of food 

security such decline in area and production is not good to meet the future rice requirement. In the 

coastal districts the area under rice is declining because of aquaculture activities. 

• Production: Rice production depends up on the seasonal conditions prevailing during that particular 

year. Sofar highest production was realized (140.10 l.t) during 2008-09 and lowest (73.29 l.t) during 

2002-03. In the basal production, contribution of superfine varieties is 62% followed by 25% of fine 





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varieties and the rest from common varieties. It is expected that about 20 lakh tones of fine rice 

would be exported from the state. More rice is produced in East Godavari (17.01 l.t), West Godavari 

(16.71 l.t), Krishna (11.42 l.t), Karimnagar (10.87 l.t), Guntur (10.27 l.t) and lowest in Ranga Reddy 

(1.04). 

• Productivity, Ecosystem wise : In A.P rice productivity is 3333 kg/ha compared to 2001 kg/ha (India) 

and 4112 kg/ha (world). Rice productivity is highest in Nellore district (4473kg/ha) followed by East 

Godavari (4028 kg/ha), West Godavari (3928 kg/ha) and lowest in Vishakhapatnam (2075 kg/ha). The 

crop is grown in three ecosystems viz., irrigated ecosystem (50.6%), rainfed low land (43.8%) and 

rainfed uplands (5.6%) . In A.P realized yields are above state average in 9 districts i.e., Nellore (4473 

kg/ha), East Godavari (4028 kg/ha), West Godavari (3928 kg/ha), Prakasham (3779 kg/ha), 

Nizamabad (3629 kg/ha), Nalgonda (3555 kg/ha), Adilabad (3878 kg/ha), Guntur (3468 kg/ha), 

Khammam (3376 kg/ha) and in 13 districts yields are less than the state average and lowest in 

Vishakhapatnam district (2075 kg/ha). 

• Yield gap and its reasons: Most of the varieties already released and recommended are capable of 

yielding 4.0 to 5.0 t/ha of rice under field conditions against the average yield of 3.43 t/ha being 

achieved by the state. Thus, there still exists an yield gap of 0.5 to 1.5 t/ha even with the available 

varieties and technologies. 

To achieve the yield potential already created, farmers have to necessarily adopt recommended 

package in totality. Farmers are adopting the improved variety and a part of the package not giving adequate 

attention to the remaining component particularly the correction of soil problems, nutritional disorders and 

water management to some extent. Over 5000 litres of water is required to produce 1 kilogram of rice. Most 

if it is used for soil preparation and weed suppression. To make rice farming more profitable, water use 

efficiency has to be improved a lot in addition to other factors. 

Though the yields are increasing over the years to varying degree they are not proportionate to the 

increase in production cost. The factor productivity which is on decline should improve. Therefore, the 

research and extension efforts will have to focus on the efficient use of inputs, reduction in the costs of 

production, minimizing input losses and maximize output through scientific crop production and protection 

technologies like Maintance of optimum population, water, soil test based integrated nutrient management, 

integrated pest management, in addition to sustainable soil management, harvest and post harvest 

management. 





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The state being one of the highest fertilizer and pesticides consuming regions in the country, the key 

factor leading to the difference in rice yields between A.P on one side and Punjab and Tamilnadu on the 

other is the proportionate share of groundwater irrigated area which is 62% in Punjab, 45% in Tamilnadu 

compared to 35% in A.P while Punjab and Tamilnadu developed 99% and 60% of their ultimate ground water 

potential respectively. A.P developed less than 20% of its ground water potential. Ground water 

development, thus, appears crucial for stepping up rice yields. 

Another crucial factor in this regard is the extent of irrigated rice area in Andhra Pradesh. Although 

rice is said to be irrigated to an extent of 95% of the area planted in the state, 50% is under tanks, wells and 

tube wells which in turn depend on the rainfall and good mansoon. How dependable is this source is known 

to every one. Thus, only 50% of the rice area gets assured irrigation water through canals under major 

projects. 

A third and major factor which is pulling down the rice yields in the state is damage due to frequent 

cyclones and floods which are common at the time of harvest. Biotic and abiotic stresses are the other 

factors greatly influencing the yield gaps apart from others. 

e. Major contributing factors in different ecologies: 

Under Irrigated transplanted ecology assured water, intensive cultivation with high inputs using high 

yielding varieties and adoption of plant protection measures -are the major contributing factors for higher 

productivity. Cyclones, floods , weeds , sub-mergens of the crop at critical stages and rodents are the yield 

reducers. 

In Rainfed lowland ecology high rain fall, fertile soils, availability of suitable varieties, high input use, 

scope for giving irrigation at critical (later stages i. e., from tillering onwards) stages ,need based plant 

protection are the factors for higher yields. Drought, planting of overaged seedlings, intermittent dryspells 

during crop growth period and inadequate fertilizer application and Plant protection measures are the 

reasons for low yields. 

In rainfed ecology, uncertainity of rainfall, intermittent dry spells, weeds and lack of suitable high 

yielding varieties with production technology are the reasons for low yields. 

f) Contribution to the GDP: Andhra Pradesh contributes 16-18% towards rice production from an area 

of about 10% of country’s rice area. 





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V. Region wise/District wise rice Ecosystems 

In Telangana region: 

Coastal Andhra Pradesh: 

Rayala Seema : 

Irrigated ecosystem 

Rainfed low land eco system 

Irrigated eco system 

Submergence conditions 

Rainfed lowland eco system 

Irrigated ecosystem 

Irrigated ecosystem: Rice crop is mostly grown under different sources of irrigation under puddle conditions 

by growing dry or wet nurseries. Field is prepared with desi plough drawn by he buffaloes or by tractors. 

Transplantation is mostly done by contract labour by random planting method called “Chikku natu” where 

plant population is low. 

Rainfed low land eco system: In Kothaguda, Mulugu agency area of Warangal district, Bhadrachalam area of 

Khammam district and also is some parts ofr North Coastal area, dry nursery is raised with the on set of 

mansoon. The field is bunded so that the rain water from upper area gets accumulated in the field and crop 

resembles as if it is grown as a translplanted crop. Sometimes after dry sowing, the field is converted to wet 

cultivation as and when water is available. This practice is common in Visakhapatnam and Sri Kakulam 

district. 

Rainfed eco system:In some North Coastal districts and Telangana area rice is cultivated as a rainfed crop. 

Varieties grown under this condition are Akasavari, MTU-9992, MTU-17, mettasannalu, Varalu and all these 

varieties have drought resistance. They are sown behind the plough or seed drill. Some times redgram or 

hibiscus is taken as an intercrop. Rainfed rice varieties face intermittent drought spells. They have very good 

ability to recover from drought in seedling stage and maximum losses occur, if the drought prevails at 

flowering stage. 

VI. 

VII. 

Rice production and economic analysis 

Rice and rice based cropping systems – zone wise 

Godavari Zone : 

Rice-Rice-Pulses 

Rice-Rice 

Rice-Green manures 

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Rice-Vegetables 

Rice-Maize 

Rice-Rice-Green manure/Rice-Green manures 

Krishna Zone: 

North Coastal zone: 

Northern Telangana Zone : 

Central Telangana Zone: 

Southern Telangana Zone: 

South Zone: 

Scarce rainfall Zon: 

Rice-Rice 

Rice-Pulses (Greengram/blackgram) 

Rice-Zero tillage, Maize 

Rice-Vegetables 

Rice-Rice-Green manure 

Rice- Rice 

Rice- Pulses 

Rice- Sugarcane 

Rice- Millets 

Rice- Green manures 

Rice- Rice - rice 


Rice- Sunflower/Maze 

Rice- Fodders 

Rice- Greenmanures 

Rice- Rice- Rice 



Rice- Maize 



Rice- Vegetables 



Rice- Groundnut 



Rice- Groundnut 

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Rice- Sunflower 

Rice- Greenmanure 

High Altitude and Tribal Zone: Rice- Rice 

Rice- Oilseeds 

Rice- Pulses 

VIII Rice growing seasons of different regions 

Region First crop Second crop Third crop 

Coastal 

Andhra 

Saarva (Kharif) 

Dalva (Rabi season) 

- 

Pradesh 

June - November 

November - March) 

Telangana 

Aabi (Kharif season) 

Taabi (Rabi season) 

Kathera (Summer) 

June – November 

15 th November –April 

April – July 

Rayalasema 

Vanakaru (Kharif) 

Endakaru (Rabi) 

Mokkadugu(Summar) 

June – December 

November - March 

February- May 

Edagaru(Early Kharif 

May – August 

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IX. 

Recommended package of practices 

a) Varieties/hybrids : Recommended varieties or hybrids for different situations 

Seasons 

High 

Scarce 

South 

Central 

Northern 

South 

North 

Godavari 

Krishna 

/ 

altitude 

rainfall 

Telangana 

Telangana 

Telangana 

zone 

Coastal 

zone 

Zone 

Situations 

and tribal 

zone 

Zone 

zone 

Zone 

Zone 

zone 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

Early 

- - Pushpala, 

Bharani, 

Swarna, 

Swarn 

- Pushkal 

Kharif 

Cottondora 

Nidhi, 

Samba 

a, 

- 

a, 

Sannalu, 

Shravani, 

Somasila 

mahsuri, 

Phalguna 

Samba 

mahsu 

ri, 

rabi 

IR.64 

Phalgu 

na 

Vijeth 

a 

Normal 

Swarna, 

Swarna, 

Srikakulam 

Penna, 

Bhadrakali 

Bhadr 

Samba 

Samba 

Srikakul 

planting 

Chaitanya, 

Krishna 

veni, 

Deepthi, 

Prathibha, 

Surya, 

Bapatla 

Chaitan 

ya, 

Krishna 

ve 

Ni, 

Prathib 

a, 

Sannalu, 

Swarna, 

Chaitanya, 

Vasundhara 

Sonamah 

suri 

Simhapuri 

, 

Tikkana, 

Pinakini 

Savithri, 

Sriranga, 

Vedagiri, 

Kavya, 

Shiva, 

Warangal 

Samba, 

Warangal 

Sannalu 

a 

kali 

Kavya, 

Shiva, 

Waran 

gal 

Samba 

Mahsuri, 

Sagarsa 

mba, 

Earlysam 

ba 

Rajavadl 

u, 

mahsuri 

Sonamah 

suri, 

Depthi, 

Nandyala 

sannalu 

am 

sannalu, 

Phalghu 

na, 

Suraksh 

a, 

Vijetha, 

Vasund 

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sannalu, 

Surya, 

Srikurma, 

Pardhiva, 

Keshava, 

, 

Chandan, 

hara 

Indhra, 

Tolakari 

Vijetha. 

NLR 9674 

Ramappa, 

Waran 

Kavya, 

for 

Prakasham 

, 

Amara 

Polasa 

Prabha, 

gal 

sannal 

u 

Salema, 

Satya, 

District; 

Jagityala 

Kesha 

Erramall 

Sriranga, 

Sannalu, 

va, 

elu, 

NLR-9674, 

Jagityala 

Ramap 

Tellaham 

Pardiva, 

Samba, 

pa 

sa, 

Swarna 

mukhi 

Manerson 

a 

Indursamb 

Polasa 

prabh 

a, 

Sumathi, 

Taramat 

hi, 

a 

Vijetha, 

cotton 

Jagitya 

la 

Sannal 

u, 

Suganda 

mathi 

Dorasanna 

lu 

Jagitya 

la 

Palalavadl 

u, 

Samba 

, 

Maner 

sona 

Indur 

samba 

Vijeth 

a, 

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cotton 

Dora 

sannal 

u 

Over 

Swarna, 

Swarna, 

Srikakulam 

Simhapuri 

Swarna, 

Swarn 

Swarna, 

Samba 

Sonama 

aged 

seedling 

planting 

Indhra, 

Bapatla 

sannalu, 

Amara 

Chaitan 

ya,Indh 

ra, 

Amara 

sannalu, 

Swarna 

,Tikkana, 

Sri Ranga, 

Swarna 

Mukhi, 

Warangal 

Samba, 

Warangal 

Sannalu 

a, 

Waran 

gal 

Sannal 

u, 

Phalguna 

Surekha, 

Kavya, 

Samba 

Mhsuri, 

Sona 

mahsuri 

hsuri 

Pardhiva, 

Samba 

mahsuri 

Waran 

gal 

samba 

mahsuri 

Polasa 

prabha 

Samba 

mahsu 

ri 

polasa 

prabh 

a 

BPH 

Chaitanya, 

Chaitan 

Chaitanya, 

Deepthi, 

Vijetha 

Vijeth 

Vijetha, 

Deepthi 

Deepthi 

Prone 

areas 

Krishnaven 

i,Deepthi, 

Indhra and 

ya,Krish 

na 

veni, 

Deepthi, 

Vijetha 

Vijetha, 

cotton 

dora 

sannalu 

a 

cotton 

dora 

sannal 

cotton 

dora 

sannalu 

, Vijetha 

Amara. 

Deepthi 

, 

u 

Indhra 

Godava 

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ri, 

Indhra 

Submer 

Bapatla 

Badava 

Srikakulam 

Badava 

_ _ _ _ Swarna 

gence 

sannalu, 

Mahsur 

sannalu, 

Mahsuri 

areas 

Swarna, 

i, 

Badava 

Savithri 

Krishnaven 

Indhra, 

mahsuri 

i Indhra 

Swarna 

Seasons/ 

High 

Scarce 

South 

Central 

Northern 

South 

North 

Godavari 

Krishna 

Situa- 

altitude 

rainfall 

Telangana 

Telangana 

Telangana 

zone 

Coastal 

zone 

Zone 

tions 

and tribal 

Zone 

zone 

Zone 

Zone 

zone 

zone 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

Saline 

Deepthi, 

Deepthi 

Deepthi, 

Vedagiri, 

Vikas Vikas Vikas - - 

soils 

Vikas, 

Vikas, 

Swarna 

Vedagiri, 

Somashila 

mukhi, 

Somashila 

Somashila 

Late 

Swarna, 

Swarna, 

Vasundhara 

Swarna 

Keshava, 

Erramall 

Surekha, 

Samba 

- 

plantings 

Chaitanya, 

Chaitan 

Suraksha, 

Mukhi, 

Pothana, 

elu 

Kavya, 

mahsuri, 

Vijetha, 

Cottondora 

ya 

Vijetha, 

Vamshi, 

cotton 

Swathi, 

Shravani, 

Indur 

samba, 

Pothana 

Ramapp 

a jagtial 

Erramall 

eluSatya, 

Sona 

mahsuri, 

sannalu 

Cotton 

Dora 

Sathya, 

Erramallel 

sannalu 

keshava 

Tellaham 

saKrishn 

Nandyala 

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Dora 

sannalu Apurva u 

JGL- 

a Hamsa, 

sannalu, 

sannalu 

Ramappa 

Jagtial 

3844 

Indursa 

mba 

Rajavadl 

u 

Sathya, 

Swathi, 

sannalu- 

3844 

Somashil 

aShravan 

i 

Rainfed 

MTU-9993, 

MTU- 

Pushkala, 

- MTU- 

- - - MTU- 

situation 

Maruteru 

sannalu 

Varalu 

9993 

Maruter 

u 

sannalu, 

MTU-9993, 

Maruteru 

Sannalu 

9993, 

Rudrama, 

Varalu 

9993, 

Maruteru 

sannalu 

Varalu 

Varalu, 

Pushkala, 

Srisatya 

Srisatya 

Irrigated 

Swarna, 

Swarna, 

Swarna, 

Thikkana, 

Varalu Varalu Swathi, 

- - 

MTU-9993, 

Maruterru 

dry 

conditions 

MTU- 

9993, 

Sona 

mahsuri, 

Swarna 

mukhi, 

Nandyala 

sannalu 

sannalu, 

Swarna 

mukhi, 

Cotton 

Maruter 

u 

sannalu, 

Cotton 

Cotton 

Dora 

sannalu, 

Vijetha 

Vijetha 

Dora 

Dora 

Sannalu, 

Sannalu, 

Vijetha 

Vijetha. 

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SUITABLE VARIETIES FOR RABI SEASON 

Normal 

Cotton 

Cotton 

Pushkala , 

Swarna 

Erramallel 

Erramall 

Keshava, 

Swathi, 

Pushkala, 

sowings 

Dora 

sannalu, 

Vijetha, 

Dora 

sannalu, 

Vijetha, 

Cotton 

Dora 

sannalu, 

Vijetha 

mukhi, 

Swathi, 

Vijetha, 

u,Indursa 

mba, 

Warangal 

Sannalu, 

elu,War 

angal 

samba, 

Warang 

Tellaham 

saSatya, 

Taramati 

, 

sathya, 

Rasi, 

Nandyala 

Cotton 

Dora 

sannalu, 

IR. 64, 

Jagityala 

Prabhat 

h, 

Apurva, 

Cotton 

Warangal 

samba 

al 

sannalu, 

Erramall 

elu 

sanallu, 

Cotton 

Vijetha 

Sannalu, 

IR. 64, 

Dora 

Indur 

Dora 

Nelluru 

Jagityal 

sannalu, 

samba, 

sannalu, 

mahsuri 

sannalu, 

Nelluri 

Jagityala 

sannalu, 

Manair 

samba, 

Nelluru 

mahsuri 

mahsuri 

Nelluru 

manair 

sannalu 

mahsuri 

Late 

Cotton 

Cotton 

Pushkala, 

Swathi, 

Tellahams 

Tellaha 

Erramall 

Swathi, 

Pushkala, 

sowings 

Dora 

sannalu 

Dora 

sannalu 

Cotton Dora 

sannalu 

Shrawani, 

Sathya, 

Somashila 

,Vijetha, 

cotton 

Dora 

sannalu 

a, 

Sathya, 

Rasi, 

Keshava, 

Varsha, 

Pothana, 

IR. 64 

msa, 

Rasi, 

Keshava 

, 

Varsha, 

Sathya, 

Potana, 

I.R. 64 

eluPrasa 

nna 

Rasi, 

Pothana, 

I.R. 64, 

Krishna 

hamsa 

Shravani 

Sathya, 

Rasi 

IR.64, 

Abhaya, 

Rasi 

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BPH 

Vijetha, 

Vijetha, 

Vijetha, 

Deepthi, 

Cotton 

Cotton 

Cotton 

- Cotton 

Prone 

Cotton 

Cotton 

Cotton 

Vijetha, 

Dora 

Dora 

Dora 

Dora 

areas 

Dora 

Dora 

Dora 

Cotton 

sannalu 

sannalu 

sannalu 

sannalu 

sannalu 

sannalu 

sannalu 

Dora 

sannalu 

Seasons/ 

High 

Scarce 

South 

Central 

Northern 

South 

North 

Godavari 

Krishna 

Situa- 

altitude 

rainfall 

Telangana 

Telangana 

Telangana 

zone 

Coastal 

zone 

Zone 

tions 

and tribal 

Zone 

zone 

Zone 

Zone 

zone 

zone 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

Salt 

Somashila - Somashila Somashila Vikas Vikas Vikas - - 

Prone 

areas 

HYBRIDS 

APHR-1, 

APHR-1, 

APHR-1, 

Somashila Vikas Vikas Vikas - - 

APHR-2, 

APHR-2, 

APHR-2, 

KRH-2, 

KRH-2, 

KRH-2, PHB- 

PHB-71, 

PHB-71, 

71, PA- 

PA-6201. 

PA-6201. 

6201. PA- 

PA-6444, 

PA-6444, 

6444, 

DRRH-2, 

DRRH-2, 

DRRH-2, 

DRRH-3, 

DRRH-3, 

DRRH-3, 

Suruchi, 

Suruchi, 

Suruchi, US- 

US-312, 

US-312, 

312, RH-204 

RH-204 

RH-204 

Page | 16 





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b) Management inclusive of mechanization: 

1. Seed treatment: For dry nurseries treat the seed with 3g per kg of seed and broadcast after 24hr. 

while for wet nurseries use 1g per liter of water and soak the seed for 24hr and allow it to sprout for 

another 24 hr and broadcast in the well prepared seedbed. 

2. Breaking dormancy: For varieties having seed dormancy, treat the seed with 6.3ml of concentrated 

Nitric acid dissolved in 1 lit of water and for strong dormant seeds use 10ml of concentrated Nitric acid per 

1ml of water and soak for 24hr and then allow it for sprouting. 

3. Seed rate: 50 to 70 kg/ha for transplanted crop. 

50 to 75kg/ha. for broadcasted crop. 

4. Tips for growing healthy nurseries: 

40 to 50kg/ha. for drilling behind the gorru 

• Plough the soil thoroughly 3 to 4 times and level it perfectly. Make channels for irrigation water and 

drainage. 

• For 5 cents of nursery bed apply 2kg. Nitrogen(1kg at the time of broadcasting the seed and another 

after 12 to 14 days) 1kg P 2 O 5 and 1kg Potash. In cold prone areas apply double dose 

• Broadcast the sprouted seed 5kg /cent of soil. 

• Allow it to dry for some time and give slight irrigation at first leaf stage. 

• If zinc deficiency is noticed spray 2g ZnSO 4 dissolved in 1 liter of water. In case of dry nursery if Iron 

deficiency is noticed spray 2% Ferrous sulphate solution. 

• Apply Carbofuran 3G granules 10 days after broadcasting the seed per cent of nursery @160g or 

Monocrotophos 1.6ml or Cloripyriphos 2.0 ml per liter of wate. Apply Carbofuran 3g granules @160g 

per cent of nursery week days before uprooting the nursery 

5. Preparation of main field: Ten to fifteen days before transplantation plough the soil thoroughly and 

submerge in 5-10cm standing water. Add 2-3 t/acre of green manure and incorporate it by puddling. Then 

level the soil perfectly. In soils, having more than 8.5 pH apply 100-150 kg zypsum/acre. 





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Four to five leaf stage , uproot the nursery , trim the tips of seedlings and transplant, by leaving 20 cm 

alley ways for every 2 meters in the following way. 

Duration of the variety Spacing Number of hills per square meter 

Long duration (150 days and more) 20 x 15 cm 33 

Medium duration ( 135 days ) 15 x 15 cm 44 

Short duration (125 days ) 15 x 10 cm 66 

Control the weeds by hand weeding twice . Apply weedicide ( Butaclore 1.0l or Anilophos 500ml or 

Pritilaclore 500ml etc., ) with in weak days in standing water. Drain out the field 24hrs before and top dress 

with urea at tillering , panicle initiation stage. Add potash also at panicle initiation stage. In soils of excessive 

percolation use neem coated urea or tar coated urea. Maintain 2-5 cm water throughout the growing season. 

Control rat menace with poison bait viz., Aluminium phosphate or Bromodiolen on community basis. 

Prevent pre-harvest sprouting in cyclones. Immerse panicles in 2% common salt solution (20g in one liter of 

water ). 

MANAGEMENT OF OVERAGED SEEDLINGS : 

Age of seedlings and varieties- 

1. Long duration up to 60 days Samba mahsuri, Swarna 

2. Medium duration up to 50 days Surekha, Warangal samba, Polasa prabha 

3. Short duration up to 40 days Ramappa, Jagityalasannalu, Nellore sannalu 





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X 

@ 

@ 

@ 

@ 

@ 

Indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) specific to the state 

Collection and incorporation of green matter ( Calatrophus, sunhemp, glyricidia, neem leaf, pongamia 

etc.,) before transplantation to enrich soil fertility and reduce the harmfull effects of soil inhibiting 

micro-organisms. 

Use of neam products for reducing the effect of BPH. 

Oddu (Artificial bund ) across agentle basin slope with or without weir to control and make the water 

to stay at one place. 

Sheap/goat penning for insitu nutrient management. 

Application of FYM to build the productivity/nutrient status of the soil. 

@ 

Bueshening leads to green manuring. Criss cross ploughing in a standing rice crop of 30-50 days after 

seeding when 10-15 cm depth of water stands in the fields. This is followed by laddering and seedling 

re-distribution. Some times weeding is also takenup. This improves water retension, aeration, 

nutrient uptake, reduces insect pests, improves tillering and plant vigour and reduces competition. 

XI Byproducts / extended use of rice specific to the state : 

a) Use and consumption 

b) Market value 

c) Milling products:Rice husk,rice bran, broken rice, rice floor, rice milk, rice pudding, rice starch, rice 

paper,brown rice, white rice, raw rice, paraboiling rice 

d) Rice based food products:Rice starch, rice used in bewerage making, rice glue, rice cakes, rice 

venegre, rice soymilk 





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XII Rice and commerce (exports and revenue generation ) 

XIII 

Special development programmes in rice sector of the state 

The National Food Security Mission for rice and pulses launched as a centrally sponcered scheme 

funded by Central Government. In Andhra Pradesh NFSM on rice is being implemented since rabi 2007-2008. 

The main aim is to increase production through area expansion and productivity enhancement on 

sustainable basis so as to ensure food security. Pattern of assistance for components of NFSM are INM, 

IPM,HYV/Hybrids, hybrid seed production, demonstrations on SRI, supply of cono weeders, markers, 

popularization of modern equipment etc., 

V 

Status of rice production technologies 

a) SRI: System of rice intensification method of cultivation has sensitized the farmer on lesser use of 

seed/ acre and use of less water for rice cultivation. This programme was intensively popularized by 

the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh by extending subsidies on rotary weeders and markers which are the 

kee components for implementation of SRI. Farmers realized higher yields also but due to difficulty in 

running the rotary weeders the method is not spreading horizontally. This system needs to be 

targeted only under wells where water control is feasible. There is an urgent need for designing the 

power weeders/ weeders that can work in paddy fields with very less drudgery 

b) Hybrid rice: Farmers have realized the advantages of growing hybrid rice and the area is slowly 

increasing particularly in rabi season. The spread of hybrids are low due to lack of hybrids having 

medium slender grain without aroma with good cooking quality attributes in different maturity 

groups. 80% of hybrid rice seed is produced in Andhra Praesh. 

c) Aerobic rice / conservation agriculture: Aerobic rice/traditional agricultural is practiced in some of 

the tribal areas in primitive way. Efforts are underway to develop production technology for 

popularization and adoption by farmers. 





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Page | 20


d) Biotechnological intervations / golden rice: Improved Samba mahsuri, resistant to bacterial leaf 

blight, developed by biotechnological procedures is under demonstrations and is being popularized in 

areas where BLB is a problem. Swarna sub-1 is another outcome from MAS and it is getting popular in 

submergence areas in the place of swarna. Golden rice is still in research stage at DRR, Hyderabad. 

e) IPM/ IDM: This is widely adopted by the farmers due to publicity through polam body , NFSM, 

programmes. IPM components are practiced in one or the other way i.e., seeds treatment, alleys 

formation, keeping field bunds neatly and other components. 

f) INM : Priority is given to this aspect by supply of green manure seeds under subsidy programme. 

Most of the farmers are adopting this technology. 

Any other: Programme on agricultural implements, 

XV Organisations: State Department of Agriculture, Agricultural University, AP State Seed Development 

Corporation, National Seed Corporation, Electricity, Banking, irrigation Department, Directorate of rice 

research, ICRISAT and others 

XVI 

Constraints in rice production : Biotic and abiotic constraints are limiting the rice production in 

Andhrapradesh. Different constraints operating are presented here under. 

a) Biotic stresses: 

i. Insects : The insect pests attacking the rice crop are BPH, gallmidge, stemborer, cutworm, leaf folder, 

Gandhi bug and rice hispa. New and emerging pests are panicle mite and thrips. 

Brown plant hopper (Nilaparvata lugens) is a major pest of rice particularly in coastal Andhrapradesh. 

But in the recent past it has spread through out the state. In adition to BPH, White backed plant hoppers 

(WBPH) incidence also observed and they are occurring in mixed population and causing sever damage 

(hopper burn) to the rice crop. Losses due to the incidence of this pest was reported to be 10 to 100%. 

Gallmidge (Orseola oryzae) is an important pest of Telangana region and also North coastal 

districts. Its damage results in to formation of galls(silver 

shoots with out panicles). 

Losses due to the pest was reported to be to the tune of 10 to 70%. In the begening biotype-1 prevailed but 

due to continuous growing of biotype-1 resistant varieties new biotypes have eveloved i.e., biotype-3 in 

Northern Telangana zone, biotype-4 in North Coastal Zone and biotype-4m in Central Telangana districts. 





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Stem borer ( Scirphophaga incertulas) a major pest of rabi season but also occurs in kharif season. Its 

damage manifests in the form of dead heart at tillering phase and white ear at grain filling stage. Yield loss 

due to this pest was reported to be 10 to 50%. 

Leaf folder (Naphalocrosis medinalis) incidence will be seen in shade areas and also in fields where 

more nitrogenous fertilizers were applied. Its intensity is more under humid climate at boot leaf stage. Larva 

after hatching from the egg folds the leaves longitudinally and feeds within. In case of severe infestation the 

leaf margins and tips dryup. 

Rice hispa (Dicladispa armigera) is a minor pest but some times attains status of a major pest. Both 

adults and grubs feed on leaves. In severe epidemics, leaves dry up and the crop gives scorched appearance. 

Gundhi bug (Leptocorisa oratorius and L. acuta) some times appears in epidemic form and causes severe loss. 

The adults and nymphs suck milk from the developing grains and results formation of black spot and illfilled 

as wellas chaffy grains. 

In the recent past panicle mite (Staenotarsonemus spinki) has attained has an important pest 

particularly in telangana region in kharif season and in rabi in coastal Andhra Pradesh. Panicle mite causes 

paralle rust like streaks near the leaf mid rib and brown to black discolouration on leaf sheath of boot leaf. 

Microscopic mites suck the sap from the developing panicles, eat pollen. Desication of pollen grains leads to 

spikelet sterility,partial filling of grains and due to scraping discolouration of grains takes place which fetches 

less price in the market and such grain results in to more brokens at the time of milling. 

Rice thrips(Stenchaetothrips biformis) is a minor pest and occurs in rainfed rice and 

also in early transplanted rice crop. Both nymphs and adults suck sap from leaves causing initially yellowish 

streaks on leaves, later the leaves curl longitudinally from the margins inwards leading to sharply pointed tips 

resembling that of needles, which finally wither. Infestation at panicle stage causes illfilled grains or sterility. 

Diseases : 

Blast (Pyricularia oryza) is one of the important disease of rice and it appears at nursery as well as 

main field. It appears as leaf blast, nodal blast and neck blast .In Andhra Pradesh the disease occurs both in 

kharif as well as in rabi seasons. Another important disease is sheath blight(Rhizoctonia solani) . The disease 

reduces the vigour of the plant increases the percentage of empty grains in the panicle and also results in to 

ill filled grains. Under high intensity disease spreads up to flag leaf resulting in to death of the plant. 





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Sheath rot(Sarocladium oryzae) attacks the rice crop during heading to maturity stages affecting 

uppermost leaf sheath enclosing the young panicle. Due to this panicle emergence is partly or completely 

arrested. Most of the grains on the panicle become discoloured , partially filled or chaffy. Rice tungro virus 

regularly occurs in Nellore tract . Affected plants are stunted, number of tillers reduced and leaves become 

light yellow to orange from tip downwards. Infected plants have delayed flowering, panicles are small or not 

completely exerted and become mostly chaffy or partially filled grains often covered with dark brown specks. 

The disease is caused by rice tungro virus(RTV).The disease is transmitted by Green Leaf Hopper(GLH). 

Bacterial blight (Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae) disease symptoms start as water soaked stripes 

along the margins of the upper parts of the leaf blade. The lesions enlarge in length and width with wavy 

margins and turn yellow within few days. In sever cases grains also gets affected and results in sever yield 

loss. Other important diseases are false smut, stem rot brown spot and bacterial leaf streak. 

iii 

Nematodes : Nematodes are tiny creatures which measure less than one m.m. They enter the tissue and 

make small holes which will form entries to other harmfull organisms. White tip nematode or Leaf 

nematode (Aphelenchoides besseyi ) carried through seed. Adult lays eggs in the space available 

between the kernel and husk. After hatching young ones enters in to the growing whoral and suck the 

sap. Due to incidence the leaf become bronzed appearance and top leaf gets wrinkled. Due to 

infestation, plants gets dwarfened with poor tillering. Under severe infestation, grains become chaffy. 

Stem Nematode (Ditylenchus angustatus): This nematode suck the sap from the tender and growing 

tips and also developing panicle. They will appear in clusters in middle of the panicle and boot leaf as a result 

wrinkling of lemma and palea takes place at on emergence of panicle. Nematode effect is severe at 8-10 

days old seedling stage and again at panicle emergence stage. At the time of harvest these nematodes 

become white cottony or wool like structures and enter the soil and become dormant. Again they will enter 

the rice stems when they are planted in the next season. 

Root not Nematode (Hirschmanniella oryzae): Nematode attacks the root system, as a result spindle 

shaped nots are formed on roots which will inter fear with absorption of nutrients. 10 to 12 days after attack 

of root system leaves will turn to yellow or bronzing from leaf edges to mid rib will takes. Attack of more 

number of nematodes leads to stunting of plants, tillers gets withered. Losses due to attack of this nematode 

is high. 





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Page | 23


iv Rodents : From sowing to sale of the paddy rats cause enormous loss. Their population increases after 

the floods or natural calamities. In nursery rats eats seeds and seedlings. In transplanted fields they cut the 

tillers at 45 degree angle above the water surface. They eat stems and growing tips. Rats become very active 

from tillering to harvesting stage by cutting panicles and taking them to rat holes. Panicles at milky stage and 

soft dough stage are more palatable to them. They spoil the field bunds by making holes. Rats continue to 

damage after harvest on paddy shieves, threshing floors, storage godowns and in houses. 

Estimated loss to paddy in East godavary is 10-45 percent, West godavary 15-90 percent, Krishna 10- 

42 percent, Guntur 8- 34 percent and in Nellore it is reported to be 2-10 percent. In houses and storage 

godowns it is 2.5 percent. In Tellahamsa variety the reported loss was 18 percent, Surekha 7 percent, 

Sambamahsuri and Rasi 3 percent and in Dhanya laxmi it was 19 percent. 

iv. Weeds: Losses caused by the weeds are reduction in yield,loss of nutrients from the soil, poor quality of 

produce, serve as alternate hosts for pests and diseases, compete for water and finally increases the cost of 

cultivation. Estimated yield losses due to weeds in lowlands is 10-30%while it is 40- 60%in case of rainfed rice 

In upland rice, weeds that infest are mostly grassy weeds such as Cynadon rotundus, Echinocholoa colona and 

Panicum spp. Among the broad- leaved weeds Eclipta alba, Portulaca oleracea, Amaranthus viridis, Acalypha 

indica and Tridax procumbens are frequent. In transplanted fields , Echinocholoa colona, E. crusgalli, 

Paspalum distichum, Cyperus iria and other broad- leaved infest the crop. In Krishna- Godavari delta, Ipomia 

carnea and water hyacinth infest the crop heavily. 

b) Abiotic stresses : Important abiotic factors reducing the rice crop yields are drought, water logging, 

temperature, cold, zinc deficiency, salinity etc., 

i) Temperature : In Andhra Pradesh higher temperatures affect the rice crop grown during rabi and 

Edagaru seasons. Higher temperatures causes protracted flowering, 

drying/dedication of anthers/ pollen grains which leads to spikelet sterility (chaffy grains). It also leads to the 

formation of ill filled grains. 

ii) Cold : Cold injury has been identified as one of the major abiotic constraint limiting the yield potential of 

rabi rice. In Telangana low temperature varies from 8 o C – 16 o C from December to firs fortnight of February 

during which rabi rice will be in vegetative phase. The common effects of cold injury during vegetative phase 

will be low germination, slow growth of seedlings , leaf yellowing , stunted growth characterized by reduced 

height and tillering. Temperature below 18 o C from primordial intiation to maturity phase adversely affects 





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Page | 24


the anthesis and pollination resulting in to delayed heading, incomplete panicle exertion, protracted 

flowering and spikelet sterility (complete/ partial) etc., as a result there will be reduction in yield. The effect 

of cold is directly proportion to severity and duration of cold period. It also leads in to increase in duration of 

the crop. High humidity coupled with low temperature before flowerings results in spikelet sterility. A 

temperature of 12 o C in January at primordial initiation coupled with high nitrogen resulted in 50-80% 

spikelet sterility and severe loss in yields during 1980’s.Varietal differences have been observed for cold 

injury (Kulkarni et al. 1989). 

iii) Drought: In Andhra Pradesh about 5.6 percent of rice area is under rainfed rice. Even the irrigated rice 

depends up on filling up of tanks with rain water and availability of water in canals depends on the rainfall 

received. The State has experienced drought many a time in the past. The important drought years in the 

past are 1968, 1972, 1977, 1979, 1985, 1987, 1997, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Based on the intensity of drought 

and its occurrence during critical stages of crop growth period , there will be change in loss of crop yields. 

iv) Water logging : Water logged condition is mostly experienced in Coastal Andhra Pradesh in Kharif 

season. Due to water logged conditions there will be poor drainage which leads to poor tillering, incidence of 

BPH, sheath blight, blast etc., as a result there will be a heavy loss in yields. An estimated area of 1.1 m Ha 

suffers from drainage congestion and water logging in Krishna- Godavari delta. In new command areas, 

60,000 ha under Sriramsagar, 33,000 ha under NSP canal, 1,14,000 ha under NSP right canal and 30,000 Ha 

under Tungabhadra are water logged. 

v) Sodic : 

vi) Saline problems : About 6.3 lakh ha. of land is affected by salinity in Andhra Pradesh. It is estimated that 

salt affected soils reduce yield by 40-50 percent.Salinity is increasing every year in irrigated rice areas due to 

lack of drainage facilities. Though technology for reclamation of salt affected soils is available, there is no 

desired achievement. Reclamation using soil amendments needs community approach and co-ordination by 

irrigation engineers, State Department of Agriculture and farmers. Soils contains free Na and other salts(Ca, 

Mg), chlorides and sulphates. show extensive white grayish white salt depositions on surface in dry season. 

Soil pH less than 8.5, electrical conductivity less than 4 ds/ m 2 and exchangeable Na% less than 15. 





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Page | 25


c) Institutional constraints: Non availability of sufficient budget and staff for effective and successful 

implementation of different schemes formulated for desired improvement in the Department. Insuffient 

funds for mobility for execution of different programmes being implemental. 

At research stations non availability of sufficient land for experiments, particularly for basic seed 

production. Dependency on farmers fields may leads to severl purity problems in due course of time. Lack of 

sufficient scientific as well as supporting staff, mobility, well developed lands, lack of co-ordination between 

different departments and allied departments. 

c) Socio- economic constraints: Still many farm families are illiterate/ have low level of literacy, as a 

result there is a less scope for knowing the developments in agriculture. They cultivate other crops also along 

with rice crop which leads to divertion of concentration in attending the required operations. Many number 

of times, timely availability of farm labour poses threat for cultivation of this crop. Low investment capacity 

of farmers and non-availability of sufficient timely credit is another important constraint. 

XVII. Economics of rice production in the state: 

XVIII. 

Strategies and modern techniques to enhance rice production: 

Following strategies are being adopted for increasing the productivity and observing 4% annual 

agricultural growth. 

@ 

@ 

@ 

@ 

Farming situation based and market oriented crop planning.Emphasis may be given on a cropping 

system approach rather than a single crop approach. 

Soil test based fertilizer application. Propagation of location specific crop production technologies in 

different agroclimatic zones. 

Soil health management through vermicompost, green manuring, application of gypsum, zinc 

sulphate etc., 

Reduced cost of production by education the farmers on improved crop management practices like 

INM, IPM, Post harvest technology, Water management, Polambadi. 

Page | 26 





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@ 

@ 

@ 

@ 

@ 

@ 

@ 

@ 

Ensuring supply of quality inputs. Replacement of low potential/ pest susceptible old varieties by new 

high yielding varieties with high yield potential. Encourage hybrid rice cultivation in suitable areas by 

conducting demonstrations and making seed available to the farmers. 

Capacity building of extension staff and farmers. 

Providing Farm implements and farm machinery for improving efficiency in farm operations and cost 

of cultivation. 

Provide access to the information by the farmers. 

Management of natural resources and farming systems approach. 

Weather based forewarming of pest and diseases and timely control. 

Promote value addition and export oriented agriculture. 

Access to credit. 

XIX. Status of seed production of major varieties/ agencies involved, demand and supply : 

Major agencies involved in seed production are A.P State Seed Development Corporation, National 

Seed Corporation, Department of Agriculture Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Private Companies 

and NGO organizations. 

Acharya N.G.Ranga Agricultural University is involved in Breeder seed production and Foundation 

seed production to some extent. During 2009-2010, 7294 q of breeder seed was produced against the target 

of 4237 q. Major varieties under breeder seed production are Samba mahsuri (2877), Cottondora sannalu 

(2179), Vijetha (616), Warangal sannalu (4967), Warangal samba (49), Erramallelu (60), Surekha (27), Jagtyala 

sannalu (203), I.R-64 (137), Sona mahsuri (132), Polasa prabha (86), RNR 10754 (200), RGL-2537 (60) NLR 

33892 (47) and others . 

Major varieties under foundation seed production during 2009-2010 were samba mahsuri (2767 q) 

cotton dura sannalu (927 q) Vijatha (286 q) Amara (382 q), RG:-2537 (219 q) Nelluru mahsuir (898 q), NLR- 

33892 (465 q), Swarna (76 a) etc. 





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Page | 27


There are 25 seed Farms in the State and implementing Foundation seed Production Programme with a 

concept to meet the foundation seed requirement of seed village programme. During 2007-2008, from 569 

ha. 28450 q of foundation seed was produced. 

XX. 

Modern agricultural implements used in rice production :Combined harvesters, Transplanters (in 

popularization stage),rotary weeders, tractor drawn leveling blade, power tillers,laser guided levelers(in 

popularization stage), threshers, harvesters, combined harvesters, serrated sickles, wetland leveler ect., 

XXI. 

Conclusion and way forward : In Andhra Pradesh, rice production has been increased by three folds 

due to developments in production technologies and untiring efforts of farming community. Still there is a 

difference between the potential yields and realized yields. New approaches and paradigm shifts are needed 

in rice research to enhance the production and productivity to meet the future demand. Rapid advances in 

molecular biology and biotechnology offers scope to utilize the gene technologies for facing the future 

problems. In addition to the conventional approaches, research efforts are to be intensified to harness the 

new technologies for enhancing production, productivity and nutritional qualities of rice. 

There is no scope for increase of area under rice. Hence, there is a need to increase per unit area of 

production. With the available as well as the technology to be generated in future and using the strengths 

(Availability of good varieties and hybrids, strong research base, rice farming is easy and rice has good 

internal and external market) and opportunities available in A.P weaknesses and threats existing in different 

agro-climatic zones can be overcome and production can be increased not only to meet the state 

requirement but can export to earn . 

XXII. 

Future thrust in rice production technologies : To meet the future demand of rice and to make rice 

farming more remunerative, there is a need to increase per unit area of production by adopting appropriate 

production technologies. Based on the realized yields identify the areas as low, medium and high productive 

areas. Our efforts should be to enhance the yields from low to medium, medium to high and high to further 

high. Future thurst areas are 

1. Genetic enhancement of yield and strengthening of quality seed production. 

a) Enhancing production and productivity through hybrid rice. 

b) Stabilizing yield through molecular breeding. 

2. Enhancement of resource use efficiency with emphasis on water. 

a) Water saving and yield enhancing strategies. 





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Page | 28


b) Improving input use efficiency and soil health in rice and rice based cropping systems and enhancing 

productivity. 

c) Enhancement of rice productivity and value addition through mechanization. 

3. Bio-intensive integrated pest management (IPM, IDM, IWM ). 

4. Development of tools and machines for increasing efficiency and reducing drudgery. 

5. Facilitating technology transfer utilizing Information and Communication Technologies for 

accelerated dissemination of technologies. 

Table -1: Area production and productivity of rice in A.P (2009-10 – 1956-57) 

S. No Year Area (‘000 

ha) 

Production 

(‘0000 t) 

Yield 

(kg/ha) 

1 2009-2010 - - - 

2 2008-2009 - - - 

3 2007-2008 3930 1332.0 3340 

4 2006-2007 3979 1326.0 3330 

5 2005-2006 4104 1329.3 3230 

6 2004-2005 3086 960.1 3110 

7 2003-2004 2975 895.3 3000 

8 2002-2003 2822 732.9 2590 

9 2001-2002 3825 1139.0 2970 

10 2000-01 4243 12458.1 2936 

11 1999-2000 4014 10638.0 2710 

12 1998-1999 4316 11878.0 2812 

13 1997-1998 3500 8510.0 2431 

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14 1996-1997 4011 10488.0 2615 

15 1995-1996 3692 9014.0 2498 

16 1994-1995 3997 9649.0 2414 

17 1993-1994 3485 9397.0 2696 

18 1992-1993 3524 8792.0 2495 

19 1991-1992 3854 9249.0 2400 

20 1990-1991 3953 9654.0 2442 

21 1989-1990 4144 9959.0 2403 

22 1988-1989 4129 10621.0 2572 

23 1987-1988 3138 7087.1 2258 

24 1986-1987 3378 6591.4 1951 

25 1985-1986 3363 7613.5 2264 

26 1984-1985 3418 6909.1 2021 

27 1983-1984 4067 8790.7 2161 

28 1982-1983 3558 7671.3 2156 

29 1981-1982 3743 7867.8 2102 

30 1980-1981 3521 7011.4 1991 

31 1979-1980 3392 6306.9 1859 

32 1978-1979 3897 7432.1 1907 

33 1977-1978 3581 5604.6 1565 

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34 1976-1977 3496 4929.7 1410 

35 1975-1976 3893 6451.2 1657 

36 1974-1975 3554 5700.3 1604 

37 1973-1974 3377 5583.2 1653 

38 1972-1973 2927 4256.4 1454 

39 1971-1972 3041 4717.1 1551 

40 1970-1971 3522 4786.4 1359 

41 1969-1970 3469 4329.7 1248 

42 1968-1969 2850 3508.4 1231 

43 1967-1968 3398 4673.6 1375 

44 1966-1967 3375 4415.1 1308 

45 1965-1966 3138 3961.1 1262 

46 1964-1965 3460 5006.8 1447 

47 1963-1964 3505 4343.0 1239 

48 1962-1963 3475 4243.5 1221 

49 1961-1962 3395 4515.1 1330 

50 1960-1961 2956 3660.5 1238 

51 1959-1960 3080 3835.6 1245 

52 1958-1959 3009 3764.8 1251 

53 1957-1958 2833 3345.9 1181 

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54 1956-1957 2929 3406.9 1163 

Table-2: Ecosystem wise rice cultivation in Andhra Pradesh 

Ecosystem 

Remarks 

Irrigated 

transplantedEcosystem 

More than 85% of rice is grown under different sources of irrigation under 

puddle condition. Rice is transplanted by random planting method where plant 

population is inadequate 

Rainfed low 

land Eco-system 

Around 10% of rice cultivated in high rainfall areas of Bhadrachalem, 

Eturnagaram and in some parts of North coastal districts in under this situation. 

Dry nursery in raised with the onset of monsoon and transplanted on a well 

prepared field when there is a heavy rain. Field is bunded so that the rain water 

from upper areas gets accumulated in the field and the crop resembles as if it is 

grown as a transplanted crop. Some times after dry sowing, the field is 

converted to wet cultivation as and when water is available. This practice is 

common in Vishakhapatnam and Srikakulam district. 

Rainfed Eco system 

Around 5% of area is under rainfed rice in Telangana, North coastal and parts of 

Nellore districts under this system, some times crop is intercropped with 

Redgram/hibiscus 

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Table-3: Popular and high yielding varieties grown in Andhra Pradesh 

Sl. 

No 

Zone 

Varieties grown 

1 Nortern Telangana Zone 

(NTZ) 

BPT-5204, JGL-384, JGL-1798, Surekha, Kavya, 

WGL-32100, WGL-14, MTU-1001, MTU-1010, Swarna, Erramallelu, 

IR-64 

2 Central Telangana Zone 

(CTZ) 

BPT-5204, WGL-14, WGL-32100, Swarna, Surekha, Kavya, 

Bhadrakali, MTU-1001, MTU-1010, IR-64, Erramallelu, JGL-384, 

JGL-1798 

3 Southern Telangana Zone 

(STZ) 

RNR-M-7, Sagar samba, Kavya, BPT-5204, WGL-14, 

WGL-32100, JGL-384, JGL-1798, MTU-1010, MTU-1001, Swarna, 

Tellahamsa, Erramallelu, IR-64 

4 Southern Zone (SZ) NLR+33892, NLR-145, BPT-5204, JGL-384, JGL-1798, Tikkana, MTU- 

1010, MTU-1001, NLR-34449 

5 Krishna Zone (KZ) MTU-2077, MTU-1001, MTU-1061, MTU-1064, BPT-5204, Bapatla 

Sannalu, MTU-1010, JGL-384, JGL-1798 

6 Godavari Zone (GZ) Swarna, MTU-1001, MTU-1010, MTU-1061, MTU-1064, PLA-1100, 

BPT-5204, IR-64, JGL-1798 





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7 North Coastal Zone (NCZ) Srikakulam, Sannual, Swarna, Vasundara, Sonamahsuri, MTU-1001, 

MTU-1010, IR-64 

8 Scarce rainfall zone (SRZ) BPT-5204, Sonamahsuri, Kavya, JGL-384, JGL-1798 

9 High altitude tribal zone 

(HATZ) 

Srikakulam sannalu, Swarna, Pushkala, Vasundara, 

1001, MTU-1010 

MTU- 

Table 4: List of local germplasm having special features (Nutritional medicinal, pest, diseases etc) 

S. No Name of local germplasm line Special feature 

1 Godavari isukalu Short bold aromatic rice 

2 Chittimutyalu Short, Aromatic rice 

3 Kichidi sambar (HR-35) Excellent cooking quality and taste 

4 Kakirekkalu Long grained scented rice with black husk 

5 Molagolukulu Long slender grain with good cooking quality 

6 Akkulu Quality grain 

7 Rajhamsa - 

8 Amritsari - 

9 Tallavadlu Drought tolerant rain fed condition 

10 Bail vadly Droudht, rainfed 

11 Akasvari D rought, rainfed 

12 Eswarakora Gallmidge resistance, redkernel 





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13 Sethhsadi Very early, 70 days 

14 Ghama Ghamalu Scented and quality grain 

15 Telladlu Very early, 70 days 

16 Royyapottu Scented with quality grain 

17 Chinthapuvvu Rich in nutritive value( Iron) 

18 Nallaregativodlu Rich in nutritive value(Iron) 

19 Neeru Gummadi 150 days and grows tall as the water level increases 

Table-5: Area under high yielding varieties in Andhra Pradesh (2008-2009) 

. 

Variety 

Kharif 

% of 

Rabi 

area 

% of 

Total 

% of total 

No 

area (ha) 

kharif 

(ha) 

rabi 

area (ha) 

area 

area 

area 

Super fine varieties 

1 BPT-5204-Samba Mahsuir 933108 32.82 94122 5.98 1027230 23.25 

2 BPT-3291-Sona Mahsuri 99749 3.51 10468 0.66 110217 2.50 

3 MTU-1010-Cottondora 

Sannalu 

384111 13.51 795775 50.55 1179886 26.71 

4 WGL-48684-Kavya 4869 0.17 0 0.00 4869 0.11 

5 WGL-20471-Erramallelu 3480 0.12 2320 0.15 5800 0.13 

6 JGL-1798-Jagtial sannalu 70536 2.48 36564 2.32 107100 2.42 

7 Nellore Molagolokulu 82900 2.92 84047 5.34 166947 3.78 

8 IR-64 48970 1.72 127235 8.08 176205 3.99 





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9 Other varieties 14064 0.49 0 0.00 14064 0.32 

Total 1641787 57.75 1150531 73.09 2792318 63.21 

Fine varietie 

1 MTU-1001-Vijetha 170842 6.01 101890 6.47 272732 6.17 

2 MTU-7029-Swarna 471800 16.59 6581 0.42 478381 10.83 

3 MTU-2067-Chaitanya 25572 0.90 0 0.00 25572 0.58 

4 MTU-2077-Krishnaveni 29291 1.03 4846 0.31 34137 0.77 

5 Other MTU-varieties 121515 4.27 135106 8.58 256621 5.81 

Total 81900 28.80 248423 15.78 1067443 24.17 

Common varieties 

1 Jaya 3261 0.11 0 0.00 3261 0.07 

5 RPW 6-17 (Phalguna) 4777 0.17 0 0.00 4777 0.11 

6 IET-1444 (Rasi) 4100 0.14 4810 0.31 8910 0.20 

7 Tellahamsa 16972 0.60 38811 2.47 55783 1.26 

8 Yerramallelu 0 0.00 5352 0.34 5352 0.12 

9 Other varieties 353179 12.42 126243 8.02 479422 10.85 

Total 382289 13.45 175216 11.13 557505 12.62 





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