New hybrid rice to withstand tungro?

The Philippine Rice Institute (PhilRice) together with the University of the Philippines-Los Baños recently launched two hybrid rice varieties in the market that withstood tungro infiltrations in several tests. “Mestiso 19 (NSIC Rc202H) and Mestiso 20 (NSIC Rc204H) produced high number of tillers and exhibited resistance to tungro in a series of adaptability trials conducted in Cagayan, Leyte, Aurora, and Palawan during this year’s dry season,” PhilRice said in a statement. The adaptability tests of the newly released inbred and hybrid rice varieties were conducted in 69 areas in the country, PhilRice added. According to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), tungro (Ilocano for "degenerated growth") is one of the most destructive rice diseases in South and Southeast Asia. Tungro causes stunted rice plants with fewer tillers (plant shoots), and reduces yield by 80 percent to 100 percent. “Adaptability trials show that Mestiso 19 showed consistent good performance in both wet and dry seasons in Mindanao than in some parts in Visayas,” PhilRice executive director Eufemio Rasco Jr. said in the same statement. Mestiso 19 could yield as high as 10.7 t/ha and matures in 110 days. It also has intermediate reaction to blast and brown planthopper. Mestiso 20 registered maximum yield of 11.7 t/ha and matures in 111 days. It is moderately resistant to green leafhopper and brown planthopper and has intermediate reaction to blast. Still, the government-owned institution noted that the new hybrid rice varieties are susceptible to bacterial leaf blight. It likewise noted that Mestiso 20 is susceptible to tungro in some areas. PhilRice is a government-owned and -controlled corporation under the Department of Agriculture. It is tasked to develop high-yielding and cost-reducing technologies so farmers can produce enough rice for all Filipinos. Recently, a senator from the Federated States of Micronesia visiting PhilRice said that his country will seek Philippine expertise to help develop its own rice industry.  — BM, GMA News