PhilRice recommends drought-tolerant rice varieties

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is urging farmers to plant drought-tolerant rice varieties during  the wet cropping season as a precaution for the dry spell that may be experienced in the third quarter of the year.

Citing the latest advisory by the weather bureau, PhilRice said the El Nino phenomenon is expected to occur in the last quarter of 2014 until the first quarter of 2015.

The state-run rice research agency, therefore, recommends the use of early maturing and drought tolerant varieties for the wet cropping season that begins in June and ends before the fourth quarter of the year.

Early maturing varieties can be harvested before the onset of the dry season, minimizing crop damage.

PhilRice recommends the use of the PSB Rc10 (Pagsanjan) variety for irrigated lowlands. Farmers may also plant PSB Rc134 (Tubigan 4) and PSB Rc160 (Tubigan 14).

For rainfed lowlands, varieties such as NSIC Rc192 (Sahod Ulan 1), PSB Rc14 (Rio Grande), and PSB Rc68 (Sacobia) may be used.

“These varieties are also known for their drought-tolerant properties, preferable in areas where El Niño is expected to hit worst,” said PhilRice breeder Dr Nenita Desamero. “With drought-tolerant varieties, rice could still thrive even with limitations in water supply.”

Other drought-tolerant varieties suitable for rainfed lowlands include the NSIC Rc272 (Sahod Ulan 2), NSIC Rc274 (Sahod Ulan 3), NSIC Rc276 (Sahod Ulan 4), NSIC Rc278 (Sahod Ulan 5), NSIC Rc280 (Sahod Ulan 6), NSIC Rc282 (Sahod Ulan 7), NSIC Rc284 (Sahod Ulan 8), NSIC Rc286 (Sahod Ulan 9), NSIC Rc288 (Sahod Ulan 10), NSIC Rc346 (Sahod Ulan 11), and NSIC Rc348 (Sahod Ulan 12).

Some of these varieties are early-maturing and have a maximum yield potential of up to 6.7 tons per hectare.

For upland environment, PhilRIce recommends the use of varieties such as the PSB Rc80 (Pasig), PSB Rc9 (Apo), and PSB Rc23 (Katihan 1).

The seed varieties may be provided by PhilRice which is headquartered in Nueva Ecija. More information may be gained by contacting the PhilRice Text Center at 09209111398.

“PhilRice is ready and united to provide the needed support to mitigate the negative impacts of this extreme climate event on the livelihood of our farmers,” said PhilRIce executive director Dr. Eufemio T. Rasco Jr.

Pagasa’s El Niño vulnerability map for rice lists among the provinces likely to suffer from the dry spell are Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Camarines Sur, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Leyte, and some areas in Mindanao.