High-yield rice technology unveiled

SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ - A new rice technology which provides high yields for lowland farmers was born in this science city.

Called "X-Rice soil conditioner," the latest technological breakthrough was unveiled by its inventor Alfonso Puyat of the Philippine Orchard Corp. (POC) following a technology validation and a farmers’ field day at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) here last April 2, sponsored by Land Bank-CLSU Technology Promotion Center (TPC), the POC and the Chapman International Ventures (CIV).

Dr. Teotimo Aganon, chairman of the Land Bank-CLSU-TPC, said the X-Rice soil conditioner is just one of the several technologies that have been lined up for validation this year through the help of Land Bank, state colleges and universities (SCUs), local government units and the eight TPCs which it established nationwide.

The TPCs would serve as venues where matured tehcnologies from the SCUs and private technology providers are validated and promoted for possible adoption by farmers, fisherfolk and small and medium enterpreneurs (SMEs).

Among those who graced the field day were Erlinda Velasquez and Antonio Domingo, Land Bank assistant vice presidents; CLSU president Dr. Rodolfo Undan, commodity specialist Jonathan Galindez, and project author, Dr. Clarita Aganon.

Based on four trials conducted between 1999 to present, the effect of X-Rice on rice plant tillering and yield has been validated.

For the first trial conducted during the wet season from August to December 1999, the yield was recorded at 129.92 cavans for nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) with X-Rice compared to only 99.16 cavans without X-Rice at single X-Rice application at 50 days after transplanting (DAT).

A second trial conducted during the dry season between the period January to May 2000 yielded 141.04 cavans for NPK with X-Rice and only 132.6 cavans for NPK.

Puyat said that the technology is suited for all types of soil. He added that he is now negotiating with various companies to market X-Rice.