PhilRice develops new disease-resistant rice variety

The Department of Agriculture has developed a rice variety that is resistant to bacterial leaf blight (BLB), one of the most destructive rice diseases that occur during continuous heavy rains.

DA-attached agency Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has initiated Line 27 that can withstand attacks of major BLB races found in the country.

PhilRice science research specialist Ronalyn Miranda said Line 27 has broad-spectrum resistance to diseases based on tests conducted, which used 12 strains representing 10 BLB races.

“Line 27 will be further bred as a variety for farmers to plant. The variety will be suited for Northern and Eastern Samar where BLB incidences were prevalent last year,” she said.

Currently, the line is also being used in developing new hybrid varieties, which are known to be highly susceptible to BLB and tungro, and Golden Rice, a variety that contains beta carotene.

“With these new results, we are hopeful we could improve or develop a BLB and tungro-resistant parentals, which can be useful in the development of highyielding varieties,” Miranda said.

Reducing farmers’ yield by up to 60 percent under severe infestation, BLB causes wilting of seedlings and yellowing and drying of leaves.

The disease also hinders the growth of grains by affecting the crop’s food production process.

BLB can also easily attack susceptible rice varieties applied with high amount of nitrogen fertilizer.