PhilRice backs 17 drought-tolerant rice varieties

SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija, Philippines – The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has recommended 17 El Niño battle-ready rice varieties to cushion the impact of the dreaded phenomenon. 

Dr. Eufemio Rasco Jr., PhilRice executive director, identified the 17 as NSIC Rc 192 (Sahod Ulan1), PSB Rc14 (Rio Grande), PSB Rc68 (Sacobia),NSIC Rc 212 (Sahod Ulan2), Rc 274 (Sahod Ulan3), Rc276 (Sahod Ulan4), Rc 278 (Sahod Ulan5), Rc280 (Sahod Ulan6), Rc282 (Sahod Ulan7), Rc284 (Sahod Ulan8), Rc286 (Sahod Ulan9), Rc288 (Sahod Ulan10), Rc346 (Sahod Ulan11), Rc348 (Sahod Ulan12), PSB Rc80 (Pasig), PSB Rc9 (Apo) and NSIC Rc23 (Katihan1).           

Rasco encourages farmers to plant early maturing and drought-tolerant rice varieties in preparation for El Niño which is expected to hit the country the last quarter of 2014 and which is expected to last until the first quarter of 2015, based on the recent advisory by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa).      

Pag-asa has predicted changes in the normal rainfall pattern generally resulting in varying dryness in most parts of the country.

Based on Pag-asa’s El Nino rice vulnerability map, to be hit are Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Camarines Sur, Iloil, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Leyte and some areas in Mindanao.               

To maximize use of rainfall, PhilRice recommends the use of early-maturing varieties this 2014 wet season which could  be harvested before the drought comes.

Dr. Nenita V. Desamero, PhilRice breeder, said for irrigated lowland, highly recommended for planting are PSB Rc10 (Pagsanjan), NSIC Rc134 (Tubigan 4) and PSB Rc160 (Tubigan 14).             

Rasco said for rainfed lowland, farmers may choose from NSIC Rc192 (Sahod Ulan 1), PSB Rc14 (Rio Grande), and PSB Rc68 (Sacobia). These varieties are also known for their drought-tolerant properties, preferable in areas where El Niño is expected to hit worst.  

The other 14 El Nino-resistant varieties are early-maturing and have a maximum yield potential of up to 6.7 tons per hectare.

“With drought-tolerant varieties, rice could still thrive even with limitations in water supply,” Desamero affirmed.           

For the uplands, recommended are PSB Rc80 (Pasig), PSB Rc9 (Apo), and NSIC Rc23 (Katihan 1).               

Some of the seeds are available at the PhilRice business development division.                

“Drought-tolerant varieties are recommended in areas that are regularly stressed and lack water supply. But for rainfed areas with enough and fully distributed water from planting to harvesting, irrigated varieties can be used to exploit their high yield potential,” Desamero noted.

Desamero said farmers may plant a 10-tonner (high yielding variety) which may yield only two tons when affected by drought, or a 5-tonner (drought tolerant variety) that may produce three tons even after water stress.

Rasco said PhilRice is ready to extend support to the farmers in terms of seed availability and distribution, technical support, and proper information dissemination.

For more information, farmers may get in touch with the PhilRice Text Center at (0920) 9111398.