As farmers prepare for dry season, the Rice Productivity Advocacy Incorporated (Rice Board) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) promoted the local public hybrid to rice tillers.
In a recent webinar, Rice Board Pres. Recher Ondap said the activity aimed to transfer technologies that could increase yield and lower production cost on rice production, which include cultivating Mestizo 1 and Mestiso 20.
Studies show that Mestizo 1 (PSB Rc72H) can attain a maximum yield of 9.9t/ha and matures in 123 days after seeding. With an average yield of 5.4 t/ha, the variety has intermediate reaction to blast, bacterial leaf blight, tungro, and green leafhopper.
On the other hand, Mestiso 20 (NSIC Rc204H) has a yield range of 6.4-11.7t/ha and matures in 111 days after seeding. It has intermediate reaction to blast and is moderately resistant to green leafhopper and brown planthopper.
Differences between hybrid and inbred rice varieties; advantages of hybrid rice; and seed selection, seed and seedbed preparation, and transplanting were promoted to 5,000 online viewers.
DA Sec. William Dar emphasized that hybrid rice helps in improving the competitiveness of the local rice industry.
“The use of hybrid rice varieties is one of the identified approaches in improving farm productivity through yields up to 15% higher than the inbred varieties. This activity will help us prepare the intended beneficiaries of the 2021 National Rice program, which targets an increase in hybrid rice production to 50% of the area harvested in selected 15 rice-producing provinces,” Dar said.
Hybrid rice is a type of rice that has been bred from two very different parents. Its performance is exhibited through a derby showcased in the country’s major rice-producing provinces.
