The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has released a new rice variety 'MGR 100', developed by the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU) in memory of M.G. Ramachandran coinciding with the late Chief Minister’s birth centenary celebrations in Thanjavur.
MGR 100’ is the rechristened nomenclature of CO 52, which, in fact, is a derivative of the cross involving BPT 5204 and CO (R) 50.
This variety is a high yielding , superior grain quality and pest and disease resistance.
Though the CO 52 is being released as MGR 100, the TNAU is awaiting the gazetting of the variety by the Central Seed Sub Committee for Variety Release and Notification.
Earlier in 1994, the TNAU had released MGR (COR H1), which is the first hybrid rice in India.