NSIC Rc 216: A rice variety for all seasons

NSIC Rc 216, a rice variety that works like a jack-of-alltrades, is making farmers happy with its versatile trait. Almost nine years after its release, the variety remains relevant as it continues to rank as one of the Philippines’ most popular varieties.

Being versatile runs in the genes of Rc 216 because one of its parents, PJ7, was also a widely adapted-variety. PJ7 got its name from PhilRice and Japan International Cooperation Agency, the collaborators in the rice varietal improvement component of the Technical Cooperation Project on High Productivity Rice Technology.

Aside from being versatile, Padolina described PJ7 as having excellent milling quality and resistance to white stemborer in the irrigated lowland ecosystem. .

PJ7 became well-known because of its dual potential in irrigated and rainfed lowlands where yields were high under these conditions, especially during the wet season. PJ7 was renamed as Sinamar, an Iloco term for “rays of hope”.

Despite these good traits, Padolina said one disadvantage in using PJ7 is it is highly shattering. This trait paved way for the crossing of PJ7 with another variety called Matatag 1, which is also PhilRice-bred. This variety was chosen because it is moderate shattering, making it an ideal match for PJ7. With the crossing of these varieties, Rc 216 was bred.

Rc 216 yields an average of six to 9.7 tons per hectare. It is moderately resistant to brown planthopper, green leafhopper, and stemborer.

Its good performance is also reflected in some studies and surveys. For instance, the socio-economic division survey of PhilRice listed Rc 216 as one of the top 10 varieties planted by farmers in 2011 (wet season) and 2012 (dry season).

Padolina said Rc 216 is excellent in terms of yield and grain quality.

With its very good traits, Padolina recommends Rc 216 for further breeding.

Padolina also stressed the importance of genetic diversity and that breeders must not stop breeding.

With a wide array of varieties, farmers can easily access their preferred variety, wherever they are, whatever their condition.