Manila, The Philippines
May 4, 2009Source:
PhilRice
Recent reports state the
government will stop granting PhP1,500 hybrid rice subsidy and
reduce to PhP600 the certified seed subsidy starting this wet
season. The funds devoted to seed subsidies would instead be
used for farm infrastructure such as farm-to-market roads and
dryers.
However, Thelma F. Padolina, head of PhilRice Plant Breeding and
Biotechnology Division said this will not completely discourage
farmers from using certified and hybrids seeds because of their
yield advantage over good seeds.
High-quality seeds advantage
Studies show that use of certified seeds contributes 10% to rice
production growth, 15% or more yield advantage is expected from
using hybrid seeds.
In the study Sources of Decade Rice Yield Growth in the
Philippines presented during the 23rd National Rice R&D
conference last March, adoption of high quality seeds was among
the major factors that contributed to yield increase from 1996
to 2007. Fifteen percent of which can be attributed to certified
seeds adoption, 12% to hybrid seeds.
Certified seeds carry a blue tag. Padolina said the tag assures
that the seeds underwent strict laboratory procedures for
certification.
These seeds are pure with a minimum standard of 20 seeds of
other varieties for every half kilogram. Furthermore, certified
seeds are full and uniform in size, and have a minimum
germination rate of 85%.
Seeds to choose from
Padolina advised that farmers must choose a variety with high
yield potential, market demand, and tested in technology
demonstrations or adaptability trials.
Farmers can choose from over 100 varieties available in the
market. Some of them are:
For irrigated areas:
PSB Rc4, PSB Rc10, PSB Rc54, NSIC 124H and NSIC Rc132H have
resistance to blast. NSIC Rc122, Rc128, Rc144, Rc156, Rc158,
Rc160, and Rc168H have resistance to stem borers.
Said varieties’ average yields range from 4.6 to 6.0 t/ha
for inbreds; 5.7 to 7.1 t/ha for hybrids with maturity
ranging from 104-122 days. Most of these varieties have good
eating quality.
Varieties like NSIC Rc118 and Rc120 were bred for tungro hot
spot areas. Their yields range from 4.4 to 4.8 t/ha. For
areas with low solar radiation and high precipitation,
farmers can try NSIC Rc122 and Rc146.
For rainfed areas: NSIC Rc98, NSIC Rc102, PSB Rc14
and PSB Rc100 are transplanted rice with maturity ranging
from 110 to 118 days and average yields ranging from 2.3 to
4.1 t/ha . These varieties are susceptible to tungro. Only
PSB Rc14 and PSB Rc100 have good eating quality.
PSB Rc24, Rc60, Rc68, Rc42, and Rc62 are direct-seeded rice
with average yields and maturity ranging from 2.7 to 3.7
t/ha and 113-117 days, respectively. These varieties are
susceptible to tungro and BPH but resistant to intermediate
to blast and bacterial leaf blight (BLB). For good eating
quality, PSB Rc42 and PSB Rc62 are recommended.
For cool-elevated areas: PSB Rc44, Rc46, Rc92, Rc94,
Rc96, and NSIC Rc104 have average yields ranging from 3.3 to
4.3 t/ha with 131-154 days maturity. Most of these varieties
have good eating quality but are susceptible to tungro,
blast, and BLB.
For irrigated but saline-prone areas: PSB Rc50, PSB
Rc84, PSB Rc88, PSB Rc90, NSIC Rc106, and NSIC Rc108 have
good eating quality compared with PSB Rc48 and PSB Rc86.
Some of these varieties are susceptible to blast, tungro and
BLB. Their average yields and maturity range from 2.0 to 3.4
t/ha and 111-128 days, respectively.
For upland areas: PSB Rc1, PSB Rc7, PSB Rc3, PSB Rc5,
NSIC Rc9 and NSIC Rc11 have average yields that range from
2.4 to 2.9 t/ha with maturity ranging from 119-125 days.
Only PSB Rc1, NSIC Rc9 and NSIC Rc11 have good eating
quality. All these varieties have resistant to intermediate
reaction to blast and BLB, two of the most important
diseases in upland areas.
Breeders will continue to breed
rice varieties adaptable to challenges as climate change.
Through the Rice Technical Working Group (RTWG), more and better
varieties will be made available to farmers, Padolina said.
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