Certain species of rhizobacteria can modify the structure of rice roots, thereby increasing the plant’s ability to tolerate drought, a recent study showed. Drought stress is a limiting factor in rice production, especially in upland where farmers are dependent to rainfall as irrigation source. In their research, PhilRice scientists Roel Suralta, Jayvee Cruz, and their team, together with the students from Muñoz National High School, found that treating rice with […]

Makahiya (Mimosa pudica) and Lantana (Lantana camara), medicinal plants known to treat common diseases in humans, were also found to be beneficial to rice plants, recent study showed. In a research, Nueva Ecija High School student Lena Nagaosa with her adviser Jerandel Gaspar and PhilRice researchers Ma. Salome Duca and Dindo King Donayre, gathered that said perennial weed and flowering plant can fight bacterial leaf blight (BLB) in rice. BLB […]

Golden apple snails or kuhol as farmer’s friend? It’s a resounding “yes” when managing rice bugs! Kuhol (Pomacea canaliculata Lamarck) is considered as one of the notorious pests in the Philippine ricefields. It consumes young seedlings, even devouring a whole paddy overnight. In every square meter, a small kuhol measuring 2-3cm can reduce the number of tillers by up to 19% at 30 days after crop establishment. The loss may […]

Can Noche Buena be merry without food? Hardly! That’s why we always try to prepare the most delectable meals no matter how tiring and economically difficult it is. Why not? The yuletide season only happens once a year. Because food is life for the Filipinos during Christmas, we like to make the best recipes for our family and friends. Here are three healthy recipes from two international award-winning PhilRice cookbooks, […]

While wisdom comes with age, the youth, when given the right opportunity, can actually become a strong force in the farming sector.

The Philippine Rice Research Institute advances its research and development operations in Agusan and Batac through recently completed new facilities. Abner T. Montecalvo, PhilRice Deputy Executive Director for Administrative Services and Finance, said the facilities are expected to enhance the station’s capacity in producing high quality seeds for the farmers and seed growers. “The new facilities will strengthen research functions of the branch stations, and ultimately address rice production concerns […]

Seed quality and varietal information tops all queries in a farmer’s mind. Every cropping season, new and veteran rice farmers ask, “What variety should I plant now?” Added to this are their concerns on yield and suitability under local condition. The need for this information motivated ICT specialists Nehemiah Caballong and Paul Austian Alday of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to develop the Binhing Palay app with the National Cooperative […]

Emmanuel Piñol, Department of Agriculture secretary, led the swearing-in ceremony of the newly-appointed Board of Trustees (BOT) and  three deputy executive directors (DED) of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), August 31, Quezon City. Engr. Romeo Vasquez, 56, from Isabela, now sits as the representative of the agribusiness sector in the BOT. Vasquez, a farmer since 1995, received the TOFARM Agricultural Entrepreneur Gold Award in 2013 and the DA’s Regional Gawad […]

One fine afternoon, while German Pangilinan was resting on his hammock after a whole day of farm work, he decided to send a message in the PhilRice Text Center (PTC) to know more about NSIC Rc 438. Who would have thought that this simple act would save him from totally losing all his investments in his 3-ha rice area? “I was introduced to new varieties when my farm became a […]

  Studies on stress-tolerant rice, healthy rices, mechanized inbred rice seed production, novelty rice products, and high-technologies by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) were recognized in a scientific gathering led by the Crop Science Society of the Philippines (CSSP), July 2-7. In the 48th CSSP Scientific Conference, 14 PhilRice studies were awarded in different categories owing to their importance in advancing agricultural sustainability and development in the countryside. The […]