What’s NEW In RICE Research?
PhilRice promotes new rice varieties for adverse environments.
PhilRice advances the use of newly-developed varieties for adverse environments during the Institute’s field day, which was recently participated by more than 1,500 farmers and agriculture college students.
“[Adverse environments] and climate change have direct effects on rice production. Decrease in yield is expected when sea level increases, temperature intensifies, and rainfall patterns become erratic,” said Thelma F. Padolina, head of PhilRice Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Division.
With the theme, Addressing Climate Change thru Rice Science, the field day highlighted varieties recommended for environments prone to saline, drought, and flood.
The saline-resistant varieties for irrigated lowland include NSIC Rc182 (Salinas 1), Rc184 (Salinas 2), Rc186 (Salinas 3), Rc188 (Salinas 4), and Rcl90 (Salinas 5). The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) developed Salinas 1 while Phil-Rice bred the other four varieties. The varieties have shown good milling recovery and good eating quality. To achieve maximum yield ranging from 3.8 to 6.3 t/ha, proper cultural management are needed. However, the breeders cautioned that these varieties are susceptible to tungro.
For rainfed lowland drought-prone areas, PhilRice recommends NSIC Rc192 (Sahod Ulan 1). An IRRI-bred variety, it has a maximum yield potential of 5.5 t/ha and matures at io6 days. The variety could be planted using the following methods: dry seeding, wet dry-seeding, and transplanting.
For submergence-prone areas, PhilRice promotes the cultivation of NSIC Rc194 (Submarino 1). A cross of IR64 and an Indian variety with Sub1 gene, Submarino 1 can tolerate to days of complete submergence.
Meanwhile, Dr. Josie A. Valdez, president of Bulacan Agricultural State College, encouraged farmers to try the aerobic rice technology, which involves cultural management practices to produce more rice with less water.
According to Valdez, the aerobic rice technology can yield 5 t/ha during the dry season and 4 t/ha during the wet season. He further said that the technology reduces water use for the cropping seasons by 30 to 50 percent, without reducing yield.
Encouraging farmers to be more progressive, Ruben B. Miranda, PhilRice deputy executive director for development, urged participants to consider varieties that respond to specific environment conditions.
“Certified seeds of a recommended variety contribute to 10 percent increase in yield. As such, [I encourage] you to try other varieties that could be better than the varieties that you’re using now,” he said.
DA-PhilRice is a government-owned-and–controlled corporation that aims at developing high-yielding and cost-reducing technologies so farmers can produce enough rice for all Filipinos.
For more information, please visit or contact DA-PhilRice at Maligaya, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija with telephone number (044) 456-0285 loc 511/512 or any PhilRice station near you. You may also visit their website at www.philrice.gov.ph or text your question:, 0920-911-1398.