Bacterial blight (BB) is a major disease of reducing rice yields significantly. Since chemical control of the disease is not possible, development and deployment of resistat varieties is the only economically feasible strategy available for managing the disease. Towards this objective a collaborative research team of scientists from DRR and CCMB have successfully introgressed three major BB resistance genes, Xa21, xa13 and xa5 into the genetic background of a very popular, high yielding, fine-grined but bacterial blight susceptible variety, Samba Mahsuri through marker-assisted backcross breeding. Through the research work, an imroved version of Samba Mahsuri, aptly named Iproved Samba Mahsuri was developed, notified and released for cultivation in the year 2008. 

More than seven thousand famers have enthusiastically taken up cultivation of Improved Samba Mahsuri and the variety has been cultivated to the extent of 60,000 ha in the in Kharif 2012 alone. The variety, due to its high yield along with excellent grain and cooking qualities is steadily replacing Samba Mahsuri not only in BB prone areas but also in other areas of the country. The variety has been registered and IPR enabled with the Protection of Plant varieties and Farmer’s Rights Authority (PPVFRA) (Registration No.: REG/2009/240). 

In addition, Improved Samba Biotech, Hyderabad on non – cultivation of Improved Samba Mahsuri  has been licensed to a Private Seed   Company (M/s Sri xclusive basis) for a licensing fee of `.  6,00,000/-. Extensive Mahsuri is limiting the losses caused by BB disease and is enhancing the rice production in the country.