7 ‘mestisos’

SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija — And now there are seven of them.

Mestiso 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

They are rice varieties developed over the past decade by the rice research system, primarily involving the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

These varieties with wide adaptability, high yield, and good eating quality have been named after a river (Mestiso) in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. More than a decade ago, the rice research sector began naming irrigated, lowland varieties after rivers and those suited to rainfed and upland ecosystems after mountains.

Mestiso 7, the latest in the series to be bred, was introduced to the farming sector during a farmers’ field day organized by PhilRice last March 14-15 at its central experiment stations in this Science City.

The two-day field days were one of the major highlights of the PhilRice-sponsored 20th National Rice R&D Conference. It was attended by about 1,600 farmers from across the country, rice scientists and researchers of R&D agencies (including DA and IRRI), and officials of local government units, nongovernment organizations, and state colleges and universities.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap was with the farmers and rice R&D community during the two-day affairs. He enjoined the farmers to adopt the modern rice technologies developed by researchers to improve their lives as the Arroyo administration continues to extend more support to the farming sector.

During the activity, PhilRice officials and scientists headed by Executive Director Leocadio S. Sebastian and Deputy Executive Director Ronilo Beronio briefed the farmers and other visitors on the technologies developed by PhilRice and IRRI, many of which are now being commercialized.

Mestiso 7 (official name: NSIC Rcl36; NSIC stands for National Seed Industry Council) is an alternative for Mestiso 3 during wet season because of its tolerance to pests and diseases, especially in areas without history of tungro infestation, said Dr. Manuel Gaspar of PhilRice, national hybrid rice seed coordinator.

"Aside from its greater tillering ability and good milling and eating quality, Mestiso 7 has fairly high consumer acceptability in both raw and cooked forms compared to Mestiso 3," he said.

Mestiso 7 is the ninth Philippine hybrid variety and the seventh in Mestiso series. It produces a higher yield during the wet season, PhilRice breeder Thelma Padolina said.

This early-maturing hybrid, bred by IRRI for irrigated lowlands, was evaluated in the National Cooperative Tests (NCT) by the PhilRice-led Rice Varietal Improvement Group (RVIG).

Starting in the planting season this May, seeds of Mestiso 7 will be available from seed producers-cooperatives in Apayao, Nueva Ecija, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Cotabato, PhilRice announced. — Rudy A. Fernandez