A study by PhilRice identified two climate change-resilient rice varieties suitable for irrigated lowlands in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Titled Location-specific irrigated rice varieties resilient to climate change, the study identified NSIC Rc308 (Tubigan 26) and NSIC Rc358 (Tubigan 30) as climate change-resilient rice varieties with superior performance in irrigated lowland ecosystems.

Thelma Padolina, lead researcher, said that varieties with superior location-specific performance and improved resistance to lodging and biotic stresses must be bred and recommended to help the farmers adapt to climate change.

“The two recommended varieties have relatively high yield advantage over their check varieties. The NSIC Rc308 has a yield advantage of 5.5% in the Visayas and 4.0% in Mindanao in contrast with PSB Rc82. NSIC Rc358 outyielded PSB Rc18 by 12%,” Padolina said.

NSIC Rc308 and the NSIC Rc358 are 2013 PhilRice-bred varieties. Under favorable irrigated lowland ecosystems, NSIC Rc308 has a maximum average yield of 10.9 t/ha and matures in 11 days if transplanted. When direct-seeded, it matures in 105 days and has a maximum yield of 8.0 t/ha. Under the same farming condition, NSIC Rc358 can also attain a maximum average yield of 5.4 t/ha to 9.1 t/ha if transplanted.

Both varieties are early-maturing. Hence, they can possibly escape stress conditions.  NSIC Rc308 showed superior performance in Zamboanga del Sur, Davao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, Eastern Samar, and Aklan. According to Padolina, the variety has intermediate reaction to pests such as stemborer, brown planthopper, and bacterial leaf light.

NSIC Rc358 is considered as an all-season variety for Visayas. Padolina said that it is suitable for the transplanting culture in the provinces of Samar, Aklan, and Bohol.

Padolina added that the development of location-specific, high-yielding, and climate change-resilient varieties are among the cost-effective strategies to increase rice yields.

For more information about climate change-resilient varieties, call or text the PhilRice Text Center 0920 911 1398.