Samba Masuri
Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in association with the Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) has developed an Improved Samba Masuri (ISM). ISM is not only resistant to bacteria blight but also has a low Glycemic Index (GI) considered suitable for those with diabetes.
ISM has low GI of 50.99 which is among the lowest value for several rice varieties tested and usually in the range of 53 to 69.
ISM also has desirable attributes like better yield and fine grain type enhancing market potential and profit for farmers.
Its not a transgenic plant. It is already being grown in 1.50 lakh hectares last year in seven rice breeding states including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, TS, TN, UP, etc. In two/three years’ time, the scientists are confident of coming out with a new variety of rice which can not only give high yields but also be resistant to three different pests affecting rice crop with field trials currently on.
Glycemic Index (GI)
GI value of a food is determined by feeding 10 or more healthy people a portion of the food containing 50 grams of digestible (available) carbohydrate and then measuring the effect on their blood glucose levels over the next two hours.
Consumption of food with low GI results in slow release of glucose into the bloodstream reducing the ill-effects of diabetes.
