ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Tarnab Rehbar: A New High-Yielding, Rust-
Resistant and Zinc Bio Fortified Bread
Wheat Variety for Late and Irrigated Areas
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
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1
Agriculture Research Institute (ARI), Tarnab, Peshawar-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
2
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Crop Production Sciences, The University of Agriculture,
Peshawar, Pakistan
3
Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Sciences, The University of Swabi, Anbar-23561, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
Pakistan
4
Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University, Yangling District, Xianyang, Shaanxi , China
5
Cereal Crops Research Institute (CCRI), Pirsabaq-Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
6
Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451,
Saudi Arabia
Submission date: 2025-01-30
Final revision date: 2025-04-22
Acceptance date: 2025-06-12
Online publication date: 2025-08-21
Corresponding author
Haneef Raza
Agriculture Research, Cereal section (Wheat breeding), Agriculture Research Institute, Tarnab Peshawar, Pakistan
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ABSTRACT
Developing high-yielding wheat varieties that are tolerant to both abiotic and biotic stresses is a
significant challenge currently faced by wheat breeders. The Agriculture Research Institute (ARI),
Tarnab, Peshawar, Pakistan, has released a new wheat variety, Tarnab Rehbar (varietal code TRB-2-
103). Tarnab Rehbar outperformed the check variety Pirsabak-15, yielding 27.3% and 10.8% higher
grain yields in preliminary (2017-2018) and regular yield trials (2018-2019), respectively. Subsequent
outstation yield trials conducted across 14 locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (2019-2020) and 31
and 40 locations nationwide (2020-2021, 2021-2022) confirmed the variety’s stable performance and
disease resistance. Agronomic field trials and quality lab testing were conducted simultaneously. Tarnab
Rehbar is characterized by medium plant height, dark green color at booting, a strong stem, and a welldeveloped
peduncle. The spikes are well-structured with moderate awns, and the seeds are uniform in
size, white, and have a notable 1000-grain weight. Additionally, it boasts a high protein content and
impressive yield potential. DNA fingerprinting was performed to compare the genetic background of
Tarnab Rehbar with 21 previously registered wheat varieties. Due to its consistent performance across multiple locations, improved grain yield, nutritional quality, and rust resistance, the Provincial Seed
Council approved the release of Tarnab Rehbar in 2023 for general cultivation in the late and irrigated
areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Introducing this variety into wheat production systems can help reduce
fungicide use, promote healthier ecosystems, minimize pesticide residues in wheat products, and
address health challenges such as regional malnutrition and zinc deficiencies.