DBW 187 (Karan Vandana)
From IIWBR Karnal — the current recommended upgrade over HD 3086 in much of the north-west, bred specifically to hold rust resistance longer as older releases lose theirs.
Quick facts
- Crop
- Wheat
- Type
- Open-pollinated
- Season
- Rabi
- Maturity period
- 143–149 days
- Expected yield
- 55–57 q/ha, irrigated & timely sown
- Suitable soil
- Loam
- Release
- Notified 6 January 2020 (99(E)) for North Western Plains, with a separate notification for North Eastern Plains · ICAR-IIWBR, Karnal · timely-sown irrigated
About this variety
DBW 187 (Karan Vandana) was bred by ICAR-IIWBR, Karnal and notified for irrigated, timely-sown cultivation in more than one zone — the North Western Plains (notification 99(E), 6 January 2020) and, under a separate notification, the North Eastern Plains. It is a biofortified release, carrying about 43 ppm iron in the grain, combined with resistance to leaf rust and leaf blight and a semi-dwarf, lodging-tolerant plant type around a metre tall. Reported average yield under the North Western Plains notification is around 75.5 q/ha with a trial potential up to 96.6 q/ha; a woman farmer in Gorakhpur, documented by ICAR under the North Eastern Plains recommendation, harvested over 82 q/ha against a reported potential there of about 64.7 q/ha.
Key characteristics
Sowing & cultivation
- HarvestingReported average yield around 75.5 q/ha with trial potential up to 96.6 q/ha under the North Western Plains notification; separately, the North Eastern Plains recommendation reports potential around 64.7 q/ha, with an ICAR-documented Gorakhpur farm reaching over 82 q/ha in practice
Soil & climate
Soil
- Suitable soil
- Well-drained loam — the standard recommendation for irrigated wheat in the North Western Plains
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
143–149 days
Expected yield
55–57 q/ha, irrigated & timely sown
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Management notes
- Still worth scouting through the season like any variety — rust populations shift over years even in resistant releases
- Where local rust pressure has already broken down HD 2967 or HD 3086 in a field's history, DBW 187 is the current recommended step up
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- Biofortified — about 43 ppm iron in the grain, a real nutrition edge over older releases
- Bred resistant to leaf rust and leaf blight, useful where HD 2967 or HD 3086's resistance has already started slipping
- Semi-dwarf, lodging-tolerant plant type recommended across the North Western and North Eastern Plains — wider adaptability than most older releases
Things to consider
- Newer release than HD 2967/HD 3086, so it has a shorter on-farm track record in most districts
- Reported yield potential varies by zone notification — the North Eastern Plains figure (about 64.7 q/ha) is notably lower than the North Western Plains figure (up to 96.6 q/ha); check the notification for your zone
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Punjab
- Haryana
- Uttar Pradesh
- Delhi
Frequently asked questions
What is DBW 187 (Karan Vandana) wheat?
A biofortified bread-wheat variety bred by ICAR-IIWBR, Karnal, notified for timely-sown, irrigated cultivation across the North Western and North Eastern Plains.
Why is DBW 187 called biofortified?
Its grain carries about 43 ppm iron, well above older wheat varieties, aimed at improving iron intake from everyday wheat.
Is DBW 187 resistant to rust?
It was bred with resistance to leaf rust and leaf blight, an improvement over older North Western Plains releases whose resistance has weakened with newer pathotypes.
What is the yield potential of DBW 187?
Around 75.5 q/ha average with potential up to 96.6 q/ha under the North Western Plains notification; the North Eastern Plains recommendation reports potential around 64.7 q/ha.
Which regions are suitable for DBW 187?
Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi under the North Western Plains notification, with a separate notification extending it to the North Eastern Plains.
Sourced from: Women Farmer from Gorakhpur harvests highest yield from latest Wheat Variety — Karan Vandana (DBW 187) — ICAR, High-Yielding Wheat Variety: DBW 187 (Karan Vandana) for North Western Plains — Global Agriculture. editorial policy.