• HI 1650 (also widely known as Pusa Ojaswi) is an advanced, high-yielding, biofortified bread wheat variety developed by the ICAR-IARI Regional Station, Indore. Officially notified in 2023, it has quickly gained widespread popularity among farmers looking for a high-performing crop that balances strong yields with minimal resource costs.

Key Agronomic Characteristics

• Crop Duration: It is an early-to-medium maturing variety, typically taking 115 to 120 days to completely mature.
• Plant Height: It grows to a medium height of 89 to 95 cm. Its thick, sturdy stems give it strong lodging resistance, meaning the crop will not fall over easily during heavy winds or late-season rainfall.
• Water & Irrigation Requirement: It is specifically engineered to perform remarkably under timely sown and restricted irrigation conditions

Typically requiring only 3 to 4 irrigations.

Yield Potential

• Average Yield: Around 57.2 quintals per hectare (approx. 23 quintals per acre) under normal field management.
• Maximum Yield Potential: It can touch up to 73.8 quintals per hectare (approx. 30 to 33 quintals per acre) when given optimal fertilizer application, technical management, and highly fertile black cotton soils.

Nutritional Value & Grain Quality

• Biofortification: This variety is rich in vital micronutrients, containing elevated levels of Zinc (42.7 ppm) and Iron (39.5 ppm).
• Grain Quality: The grains are bold, hard, heavy, and amber-coloured with a distinct natural lustre, ensuring they fetch excellent market rates.
• Culinary Use: It has high protein content (around 11.4% to 11.8%) and a top-tier chapati score, making it exceptional for making soft rotis, breads, and biscuits.

Disease Resistance

• HI 1650 provides built-in insurance against major diseases. It boasts a high degree of resistance to Brown (Leaf) Rust and Black (Stem) Rust, while also showing good tolerance to Karnal Bunt and Powdery Mildew.

Recommended Regions & Sowing Window

• Sowing Time: The ideal sowing period is between 1st November and 25th November.
• Geographical Area: It is primarily recommended for cultivation across India's Central Zone, including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, the Jhansi division of Uttar Pradesh, and the Kota & Udaipur divisions of Rajasthan.