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A hybrid rice variety, also referred to as F1, is the first generation product of crossing two rice plants with superior qualities. These superior qualities of both parents are passed on to the seed and results in ‘hybrid vigor’ or ‘heterosis.’ The young seedlings produce more grains per panicle than most inbred varieties. These factors result in higher yields than ordinary rice, also known as inbreds.
Does hybrid rice differ from ordinary rice?
Majority of the rice plants we see in farmers’ fields today, are all inbred rices. Normally, each rice flower contains both male and female organs. This allows the plant to reproduce itself through self-pollination or inbreeding, hence the term inbred — without man’s intervention. This means you can use the grains harvested from inbred rice as seeds for the next planting season. A hybrid rice seed, on the other hand, is a product of cross pollination — two kinds of varieties are sown and grown side by side and pollination is done by natural and artificial means. When planted, the cultivation procedure is basically the same as inbreds; reproduction is also thru self-pollination; and the harvest (palay) looks the same as that with inbreds but it cannot be used for replanting because hybrid vigor is lost resulting in yield reduction, nonuniform crop stand, and maturity.
What are HYVs, MRVs, conventional varieties, and NPT or super rice? How do they differ from hybrid rice?
HYVs (high-yielding varieties), MRVs (modern rice varieties), conventional varieties, and NPT (new plant type) or super rice are terms used to differentiate these varieties from traditional varieties. Traditional varieties are tall and lodge easily. These are low-yielders, producing from 2 to 2.5 tons (t)/ha, and can be grown once a year since they take five to six months to mature. Most are photoperiodic, which means that rice plants flower when days are short. They are aromatic and have good eating quality. The terms HYVs, MRVs, and conventional varieties all mean the same. These varieties are short or semi-dwarf; mature in about four months or less; are nonphotoperiodic, thus a second or third crop is possible; high yielding; responsive to fertilizer; heavy-tillering; and well-suited to irrigated areas. NPT or super rice is an ideal plant type for direct seeding. Its target yield of 12 t/ha will be achieved through a dramatic transformation of the rice plant architecture: no unproductive tillers; 150 to 200 per panicle; heavier grain weight per panicle, vigorous root system, sturdy stems, thick and dark green leaves, and long grains. Researchers are improving its resistance against stemborers. Traditional varieties, HYVs, MRVs, conventional varieties, and NPTs or super rices of the future, however, share one thing in common: they are all self-pollinated (inbred) unlike hybrid rice.
PhilRice supports the use of genetic engineering in rice varietal improvement. But the hybrid rice we currently have is not a genetically modified organism.
Also referred as ‘heterosis’, hybrid vigor is unique to hybrid rices, which is expressed during the early vegetative and reproductive growth
stages of the plant. It makes mature plant achieve a greater number of spikelets per panicle, and consequently, higher yields. This phenomenon is caused by the synergy among the positive characters of parental lines. It is important, therefore, that good parents be used in hybrid rice seed production.
What hybrid rice varieties can farmers plant today?
Farmers are encouraged to plant hybrid rice as its production contributes to rice self-sufficiency, increased productivity and profitability, and generate additional employment. They can choose from hybrids developed by public institutions such as PSB Rc72H and NSIC Rc116H and hybrids developed by private companies such as SL8H, Bigante, and Rizalina 28. However, under the Hybrid Rice Commercialization Program, the varieties recommended for nationwide planting are PSB Rc72H and NSIC Rc116H. These varieties are noted for their height (97 cm) and growth duration of 106 to 123 days. With a milling recovery of around 68%, they have a maximum potential yield of 12 t/ha. PSB Rc72H has good aroma and eating quality and produces long panicles. NSIC Rc116H, meanwhile has good tillering capacity, short maturity duration, and favorable in different farming ecosystem.
How much yield increase can farmers attain using hybrid rice?
Hybrid rice can increase farmers’ current yields by at least 15%. With proper management and favorable environment, farmers can attain yields by a maximum of 12 t/ha a season. The high yielding capacity of hybrid rice was validated by farmers who registered remarkable harvests in 2004. Top yielder Amador Na-oy of Tabuk, Kalinga produced 12.7 t/ha in one cropping season (DS 2003-2004) while Antonio Villanueva of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur and Purificacion Perez of Victoria Laguna gained 12.2 t/ha and 11.7 t/ha, respectively. Ten rice farmers in Southern Mindanao, meanwhile, harvested more than 10 metric tons of palay for every hectare planted to hybrid varieties during dry cropping season. One of them, Eulogio Guira Sr, produced 14.52 t of dry-weight palay from his one-hectare plot in New Ilocos, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur province.
Can hybrid rice varieties be planted through direct seeding?
Yes. In Isabela, farmers practice direct seeded production of hybrid rice as it solves labor shortage during the planting season. Farmers prefer direct seeding for hybrid rice production as it augments their income by P1,000 to P1,500 a hectare. Direct seeded hybrid rice produces 8 to 9 t/ha – the same quantity as the transplanted hybrid rice. In Sultan Kudarat, hybrid rice is being planted using a drum seeder with a rate of 30 kg/ha.
How is hybrid rice production differ from farmers' usual practices?
Hybrid rice is grown much like ordinary rice except that it requires greater attention in seed and seedling management. Seedlings must be robust and their roots must be fully developed and should remain intact to minimize transplanting shock. This will allow the hybrid rice variety to fully express its “hybrid vigor” at the early vegetative growth, leading to increased number of spikelets. The significant shift from farmers’ usual practices include the amount of seed used in a hectare. The usual practice entails a farmer to use 80 to 120 kg of seeds. Hybrid rice growers only use 15 to 20 kg of seeds. To ensure the seed germination of PSB Rc72H and NSIC Rc116H, seeds should be soaked in clean water for 12 to 24 hours or until the seeds have swelled. When seeds are not soaked in flowing water, change the water inside the container every six hours. Wash the seeds after soaking and place the sacks on a bamboo or wooden platform and cover with rice straw to facilitate incubation. Incubate until a white dot is seen.
Can a farmer replant seeds harvested from hybrid rice and obtain the same high yield?
No. While farmers growing ordinary rice varieties can use the grain they harvested from their existing crop as seeds for planting the following season, hybrid rice seed must be new every season. Otherwise, the resulting crop will not be uniform in height and maturity. Furthermore, yields could decrease by about 40 to 60% as seeds become immature. Hence, yields could be even lower than those obtainable from ordinary rice varieties. To achieve the benefits of high yield and uniform stand, the farmer must buy new seeds every season.
Hybrid rice is perceived as anti-poor because farmers are “forced” to buy new seeds each time they plant. But the government is making sure that the seed production technology reaches the farmers so that a local hybrid rice seed industry will be developed. Technical and financial assistance are also extended to the hybrid rice producers. Giberellic acid can be purchased at a lower cost at the PhilRice. Also, the rice agency is establishing and coordinating linkages to provide a wider market for hybrid rice. In cultivating hybrid rice, the government formulated a subsiby scheme on seed procurement.
How much does it cost to grow hybrid?
There is minimal additional cost in using hybrid rice because farmers need only 20 kg seeds a hectare. The additional cost is on extra care in pulling and transplanting seedlings per hill. Based on WS 2003 - DS 2004 data from Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Iloilo, and Davao, the average production cost incurred by hybrid rice producers is P27,500/ha a season while seed growers spent P47,000/ha a season. Although growing hybrid rice is more expensive than inbred varieties, a study on the midterm impact assessment of hybrid rice technology in the Philippines showed that the yield derived from growing hybrid posted a P3,000 profit advantage over inbred rice.
How is the Philippine government supporting the promotion of hybrid rice?
Former presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph E. Estrada supported the propagation of hybrid rice. However, it was Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who made the commercialization of hybrid rice a flagship program to rice self-sufficiency, create employment opportunities, and reduce poverty in the rural areas. To ensure its smooth implementation, the President mandated PhilRice to lead the Hybrid Rice Commercialization Program.
What are the ways of improving hybrid rice performance?
The quality of hybrid rice crop is improved by using minus one element technique (MOET) kit and leaf color chart (LCC). MOET is a device used in diagnosing limiting soil contents such as zinc and sulfur. With its use, inadequate nutrients that are not diagnosed in the soil chemical test are identified because the basis in diagnosing is the actual performance of rice plants. LCC, meanwhile, is a handy plastic ruler with strips of four shades of green to simulate the color of rice leaves under field conditions. Through LCC, the proper time of applying fertilizers with their right amount is identified. This increases fertilizer use efficiency and protect the ground and surface water from contamination. These tools can be bought at PhilRice branch stations in Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija; Los Baños, Laguna; San Mateo, Isabela; Batac, Ilocos Norte; Cansilayan, Murcia, Negros Occidental; Midsayap, North Cotabato; and RTR, Agusan del Norte.
How does the government ensure the quality of hybrid rice?
Government units and agencies conduct regular trainings on hybrid rice production. PhilRice conducts annual trainings on hybrid rice seed production for seed growers, extension workers, media, and farmers. Topics such as seedling management, transplanting, managing seed production plot, and ensuring seed quality are discussed. For seed growers to be accredited, one of their requirements is to undergo a series of trainings on hybrid rice seed production conducted by the Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Training Institute, PhilRice, and local government units. Moreover, these agencies provide refresher courses for seed growers while the National Seed Quality Control Services and PhilRice deploy deputized seed inspectors to ensure the seed quality of hybrid rice. Maintaining the quality control of seed also include laboratory test on seed purity, moisture content, and grain mixture.
What countries have successfully grown hybrid rice?
China grows hybrid rice in about 50% of its 33 million ha rice area, adding some 300 billion kilograms to the country’s grain output. India grows hybrid rice in 150,000 ha while VietnamChina increase its rice production from 140 million tons in 1978 to 188 million tons in 1990. It accounts for 66% of China’s total production and 20% of the world’s total rice supply. At least 17 other countries initiated hybrid rice programs. In 2004, 1.4M ha were planted with hybrid rice in tropical countries. devotes 400,000 ha to hybrid rice.
Public and private sector groups produce, distribute, and market hybrid rice seeds. These include state college universities, seed growers’ cooperatives, seed companies, interested NGOs and other organized groups, as well as accredited individual seed growers. PhilRice, also a seed producer, gives special attention to the involvement of organized groups with adjacent seed production areas to be involved in hybrid rice seed production. This will reduce isolation problems, simplify seed certification, facilitate seed distribution and marketing, and allow seed growers to benefit from the economics of scale.
Hybrid rice seed can be bought at any PhilRice branch station in Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Negros, Misayap, and Agusan. They are also available at local government units and regional field units of the Department of Agriculture. At PhilRice, LGUs and RFUs, a kilogram of seeds costs PhP55.00.
Where can I buy milled hybrid rice?
Packs of milled hybrid rice can be bought in some supermarket such as SM, Robinsons’, Gaisano, and Waltermart, PhilRice branch stations, and farmers’ cooperatives.
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