Initially all the selected seven CCN resistant varieties were tested along with check variety Raj 3077 in randomized block design in three replications at twelve locations during 15th-25th November, 1996- 97. Three varieties CCNRV 1, CCNRV 3 and CCNRV 7 were observed promising for yield attributes along with CCN resistance in trials conducted during 1996-97. To raise the crop, 100N:40P205:6O K2Okg/ha fertilizers were used. Other recommended agronomic practices were also used to raise the crop under naturally infested as well as normal (nematode free) soils. Grain and straw yields were recorded per plot in kilogram, however, this unit was converted in to q/ ha for interpretation of the results obtained in the present study. Standard scale as suggested by Swaroop (1986) was used to record the nematode reaction in infested soils viz., resistant (0.0-4.0 cysts/ plant), moderately resistant (4.1-9.0 cysts/plant), susceptible (9.1-20.0 cysts/plant) and highly susceptible (20.1 and above cysts/plant). The data of trials were analyzed as per standard statistical methods suggested by Panse and Sukhatme (1967).
The pedigree of wheat variety CCNRV 1 (Raj Molya Rodhak 1) is J 24/AUS 15854. This variety is the first cereal cyst nematode resistant wheat variety in the country developed by transferring resistant dominant gene from exotic germplasm- AUS 15854 (Sharma and Sharma 2000). The main characteristics of CCNRV 1 are intermediate growth habit, light green foliage color at boot stage, flag leaf waxy (dorsal side), spike shape tapering, intermediate to compact, turn dusty white at maturity, awns length medium and awns shed before maturity. It matures in 115-120 days and possesses medium bold, amber and lustrous grains. The results obtained in different experiments are explained below:
The results of twelve locations of CCNRV 1 (1996-97) revealed that all the seven CCN resistant varieties significantly out yielded over the Raj 3077 check variety under infested soils (Table 1). Similarly these varieties also gave significantly higher straw yield over the check. The maximum grain yield was recorded for CCNRV 1 followed by CCNRV 3 and CCNRV 7 and almost similar trend was observed for straw yield in this experiment. All the seven varieties showed resistance against nematode and number of cysts per plant ranged 1.7-3.5. All the CCN resistant varieties showed superiority for plant height and tillers per plant as compared the Raj 3077, however, only three varieties viz., CCNRV 1, CCNRV 3 and CCNRV 7 were found significantly superior for spike length. These results indicated that among the seven newly developed CCN resistant wheat varieties only CCNRV 1 had excellent potential for grain and straw yield along with other desirable agronomical traits. The results of overall mean performance of CCNRV 1 variety under multi-location trials under infested soils (1997-99) revealed that this variety gave 78.7 percent higher grain yield over Raj 3077 (Table 2). Similarly it also gave 60.1 percent higher straw yield over the widely cultivated popular wheat variety Raj 3077 in CCN infested soils at 23 locations. Results further exhibited that CCNRV 1 has excellent resistance against nematode and average number of cysts per plant over the three years was recorded 1.5 cysts per plant whereas Raj 3077 had 14.0 cysts per plant. Overall results of three years experiments at 23 locations showed that newly developed wheat variety has good yield potential and superiority of resistance against molya disease in sandy soils of Rajasthan. Thereby, it is envisaged that this variety will open up new vistas of boosting wheat production and alleviate the socio-economic status of the subsistent Indian farmers of the CCN infested areas. Thereby, State Seed Sub-Committee on Crop Standards (Notification and Release of Varieties meeting held on 28th September, 2002) released CCNRV 1 for cultivation in Rajasthan state, which has resistance genes against nematode and good yield potential along with various other desirable parameters (Table 3). It is hoped that this wonderful wheat variety will help in achieving higher yield levels throughout the country, where molya disease is a threat for wheat cultivation.