Saline-resistant inbred variety yields 6.2mt/ha at DA research station in Iloilo City
Posted by: RAFIS DA6 | Posted at: October 10, 2024
The NSIC Rc 604 (saline-resistant variety) of palay cultivated in the two-hectare rice area at the Department of Agriculture (DA) Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (WESVIARC), Jaro, Iloilo, City obtained a 6.2 metric tons per hectare average yield.
According to Science Research Specialist Engr. Flerida Demamay, NSIC Rc 604 varietal production is part of the ongoing efforts at WESVIARC to test its yield performance and develop resilient rice varieties suitable for irrigated lowland areas with saline conditions.
She added that the department through the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program hopes to expand palay production areas next year particularly in farms with high salinity.
PalayCheck System and Rice Crop Management Advisory Service were employed to optimize production and yield of palay. Golden apple snails, stemborers, and rodents were encountered but effectively managed and controlled using Integrated Pest Management or IPM technologies and biological control agents such as trichogramma japonicum.
Using the 30 kilograms inbred seeds, palay were planted using the riding-type transplanter on July 8 and were harvested on October 7 through rice combine harvester. A total of 252 bags with 49.18 kilograms average weight per bag were produced.
###Photos by KDCCaldina & VNOQuimpo/DA-RAFIS 6
