The new varieties were approved for release by the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) on the recommendation of the Rice Varietal Improvement Group (RVIG).
Of the eight varieties, three are hybrid and five are inbred, reported Dr. John de Leon of the DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).
Four of the inbred rice were developed by PhilRice-NSIC Rc128, NSIC Rc130, NSIC Rc15, and NSIC Rc17. NSIC Rcl28, popularly called Mabango 1, is the first aromatic rice variety bred by the PhilRice headed by Executive Director Leocadio S. Sebastian.
The fifth new inbred variety, NSIC Rc13 or Malagkit 1, a glutinous rice, was developed by UP Los Baños.
The three new hybrid varieties are NSIC Rc124H (Mestizo 4), bred by Bayer Crop Science; NSIC 126H (Mestizo 5), developed by Monsanto Philippines; and NSIC Rcl32H (Mestizo 6), by SL Agritech.
The new NSIC varieties are recommended only for specific areas, reported Philrice consultant Dr. Sosimo Ma. Pablico.
"With the release of the new varieties, farmers continue to have a wider choice on the variety that they would plant," Dr. Pablico added. – RAF