Written by the Web Team
Dr. Eufemio T. Rasco Jr., executive director of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), had recommended high-yielding varieties during the Lakbay-Palay or Farmers’ Field Day and Forum held at the Institute’s Central Experiment Station in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Oct. 3.
With maximum yield of 6-11 t/ha, the varieties being promoted for irrigated lowland include Tubigan 22 (NSIC Rc240), Malagkit 5 (NSIC Rc21SR), Mestiso 29 (NSIC Rc244H), and Mestiso 38 (NSIC Rc262H).
Multi-location yield testing showed that Tubigan 22 has an average yield of about 6 t/ha. It has yield potential of about 11 t/ha when transplanted and about 8 t/ha as direct-seeded rice. Maturing in 108 days when direct-seeded and 115 days when transplanted, it is resistant to blast, sheath blight, bacterial leaf blight, and white stem borer.
Malagkit 5, a good yielding glutinous variety with 7 t/ha maximum yield, matures in 122 days and has moderate resistance to whiteheads, brown planthopper, green leaf hopper, and yellow stem borer. It is also slightly aromatic when cooked.
“You might also want to try hybrid rice because under good conditions, its yield is 27 percent higher than inbred,” Rasco informed the more than 1,500 Luzon farmers.
Mestiso 29, a variety with resistance to white and yellow stem borers, brown planthopper, and green leafhopper, registered an average yield of 7 t/ha. It has a maximum yield of 11 t/ha and matures in 113 days.
Meanwhile, Mestiso 38 is suitable in areas usually infested with blast, bacterial leaf blight, and white stem borer. It matures in 114 days and could yield as high as 10 t/ha.
“[We give you more good news in this field day]. You might have noticed rice plants with thicker culms when you went around our experimental fields. These are new hybrid rice varieties being developed, which would hopefully, bring 24 percent higher yield than other hybrid,” Rasco said.
Lakbay-Palay is conducted -annually for farmers to visit PhilRice and learn about the latest on rice research and technology.
