PhilRice prescribes 'El Niño' rice varieties to resist drought 

Farmers must plant drought-tolerant and early-maturing rice varieties during the wet cropping season and head off El Niño that is expected to hit the Philippines in the third quarter, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) said Monday.

 

Early maturing varieties can be harvested before the onset of the dry season, minimizing crop damage, according to state-run PhilRice.

 

The wet cropping season starts in June to just before the fourth quarter of the year.

 

For farms in the irrigated lowlands, PhilRice said the PSB Rc10 (Pagsanjan) variety is the best or the PSB Rc134 (Tubigan 4) and PSB Rc160 (Tubigan 14).

 

It also recommended the NSIC Rc192 (Sahod Ulan 1), PSB Rc14 (Rio Grande), and PSB Rc68 (Sacobia)varieties for rain-fed lowlands.

 

In the case of rice farms in the uplands, PhilRice said the best varieties are the PSB Rc80 (Pasig), PSB Rc9 (Apo), and PSB Rc23 (Katihan 1).

 

“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,” she said.

 

According to state-run weather forecaster, El Niño will likely hit Cagayan, Islabela, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Camarines Sur, Ilo-ilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Leyte, and some parts of Mindanao. – VS, GMA News