DEVELOPMENT OF THAL GUARA: A HIGH-YIELDING, EARLY MATURING AND DROUGHT TOLERANT GUAR (CYAMOPSIS TETRAGONOLOBA) VARIETY FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Abstract

Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.) is an important leguminous crop with significant agricultural and industrial value due to its ability to improve soil fertility and serve as a major source of guar gum. The present study focused on the breeding, selection, and multi-environment evaluation of a newly developed guar variety, Thal Guara. Multi-location yield trials conducted from 2014 to 2020 indicated that Thal Guara exhibited superior performance compared with the standard check varieties BR-99 and BR-2017, with yield increases of up to 25.4% under optimal agronomic conditions. The variety was evaluated at different agro-ecological zones and performed best when sown in early June with a fertilization regime of 30-60-60 kg NPK ha⁻¹. Thal Guara also demonstrated enhanced drought resilience, lower pest infestation, and moderate resistance against bacterial blight and Alternaria blight. Biochemical analysis of Thal guara exhibited high guar gum contents, protein, and carbohydrates which are suitability for diverse industrial uses. The stable yield performance and desirable agronomic traits indicate its potential for large-scale adoption of Thal Guara to enhance guar production and promote sustainable agriculture.