NSIC releases new hybrid rice variety

By Sosimo Ma. Pablico

The National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) released last week a new hybrid rice variety that is high yielding and suitable in Luzon and seven other regions in the Visayas and Mindanao.  It is recommended for transplanted culture in irrigated lowland in both dry and wet seasons. 

Bred by Bioseed Research Phils., Inc. but developed with the national Rice Varietal Improvement Group led by PhilRice (Philippine Rice Research Institute), the new variety carries the official name NSIC Rc162H or Mestizo 8.  More popularly known as BIO 401, it has good grain and good eating qualities.

In on-farm techno-demonstrations, BIO 401 yielded 10.3 tons/ha (t/ha) in the Ilocos, 5.8 to 7.7 t/ha in Cagayan Valley, 9.4 t/ha in Central Luzon, 9.4 t/ha in Region 9, 6.7 to 9.4 t/ha in Region 11, 5.2 to 7 t/ha in Region 12, and 8.3 t/ha in Caraga region.

Its yield was higher than another hybrid by 46 percent in the Ilocos region and 43 percent in Iloilo where its yield was 44.4 percent higher than an inbred variety.

It was also 18 percent higher than another hybrid during the wet season in Region 12, and eight percent higher during the dry season.  At the same time, it was higher than an inbred variety by 36.9 percent during the wet season and 16.7 percent during the dry season.

In Central Luzon, its yield was 4.9 percent higher than another hybrid and 44.4 percent higher than an inbred variety.

Amazingly, the yield of BIO 401 was a little lower in replicated trials in at least three experiment stations – an average of 5,987 kilograms a hectare (kg/ha). However, the average yield was 6,708 kg/ha at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) and 6,360 kg/ha at Bohol APC (Agricultural Productivity Center).

The average yield of BIO 401 was higher than PSB Rc28 by seven percent at USM and 38.7 percent at Bohol APC.

When cooked, BIO 401 is white, slightly glossy, slightly cohesive, slightly tender, slightly smooth, and has no aroma and off-taste.  In its raw form, the milled rice is creamish white, dull, translucent, and brittle.  The grains are long.

It has a milling recovery of 67.9 percent (grade 1) and a head rice recovery of 43.6 percent (grade 2). Its protein content is eight percent.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/harvest-time/)

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