RICE TECHNOLOGY BULLETIN SERIES

No. 1 Released Rice Varieties (1968 - 1994)

No. 2 Pagpaparami at Pagpupuro ng Binhi sa Sariling Bukid
No. 3 Paggawa ng Maligaya Rice Hull Stove
No. 4 PhilRice Micromill
No. 5 PhilRice Flourmill
No. 6 PhilRice Drumseeder
No. 7 PhilRice Rototiller
No. 8 Rice Food Products
No. 9 PhilRice-UAF Batch Dryer
No. 10 Integrated Management of the Malayan Black Bug
No. 11 SG800 Rice Stripper-Harvestser
No. 12 Dry-Seeded Rice-Based Cropping Technologies
No. 13 Maligaya Rice Hull Stove
No. 14 10 Steps in Compost Production
No. 15 Rice Tungro Virus Disease
No. 16 The Philippine Rice Seed Industry and the
National Rice Seed Production Network
No. 17 10 Hakbang sa Paggawa ng Kompost
No. 18 10 nga Addang ti Panagaramid iti Kompost
No. 19 Characteristics of Popular Philippine Rice Varieties
No. 20 Rice Stem Borers in the Philippines
No. 21 Rice Food Products (revised edition)
No. 22 Leaf Color Chart (English)
No. 23 Leaf Color Chart (Ilocano)
No. 24 Leaf Color Chart (Filipino)
No. 25 Equipment for Rice Production and Processing
No. 26 Use of 40kg Certified Seeds per Hectare
No. 27 Rice Wine
No. 28 Management of Field Rats
No. 29 Controlled Irrigation: A water-saving technique for transplanted rice
No. 30 Minus-one Element Technique: Nutrient deficiency test made easy
No. 31 Management of the Rice Black Bug
No. 32 Management of Zinc-Deficient Soils
No. 33 Management Options for the Golden Apple Snail
No. 34 Use of Evaporation Suppressant
No. 35 Pagpaparami ng Purong Binhi ng Palay
No. 36 Management of Sulfur-Deficient Lowland Rice Soils
No. 37 Management of Planthoppers and Leafhoppers
No. 38 Management Options for Ricefield Weeds
No. 39 Use of Indigo as Green Manure
FOREWORD

In the Philippines, a comprehensive hybrid rice RD&E program (HRP) was

initiated in 1998 to strengthen national capacity for hybrid rice development
and use. Hybrid rice offers higher income opportunities for farmers either
through commercial rice (F1 cultivation) or seed production. The first genera-
tion crosses of rice varieties with different genetic make-up yield at least 15%
higher than modern inbred or conventional varieties under the same input
levels. In large-scale hybrid rice technology demonstration trials conducted
from 1998-1999 across the country, for example, the rice hybrids PSB Rc26H or
Magat and PSB Rc72H or Mestizo out-yielded the best inbred varieties by an
average of 15 to 25% or by 0.78 to 1.27 metric tons (mt) per hectare.

This increase in rice production can eliminate most importation that the
country resorts to annually. A one-ton increase in rice production per hectare in
even only 50% of the country’s 2.7M ha harvested irrigated rice area, for
example, would result in an additional harvest of 1.35M mt of palay that is
equivalent to 0.88 M mt milled rice at 65% milling recovery. This extra rice
production would be worth US$264M and would offset most of the rice impor-
tation that the Philippines procured in the past. Farm income would also
increase by P2.43 to P11.84 billion, with farmers planting hybrid rice earning
an average additional income of P6,800 to P8,800 per hectare. Hybrid seed
growers who produce at least one ton F1 seeds per hectare, on the other hand,
will earn P44,000 more per hectare than inbred rice seed growers. Since the
technology consumes more labor than inbred rice production, more employ-
ment opportunities shall be generated in rural areas leading to poverty allevia-
tion while decongesting urban centers.

Ultimately, the Hybrid Rice Program expects to contribute significantly to

the national objective of attaining self-sufficiency and food security.

LEOCADIO S. SEBASTIAN
Executive Director

1
INTRODUCTION
Hybrid rice is a product of crossing two different rice plants consisting of
one male and another female. The seed is produced when the egg of the
female plant is fertilized by pollen from the anthers of a different variety or
line that is used as male. Hybrid rice seed is the first filial (F1) generation
product of a cross between two rice varieties that are genetically different.
Hybrid rice offers higher income opportunities for farmers either through F1
cultivation or hybrid seed production. It has a yield advantage of at least 10-
15% over the best semi-dwarf inbred varieties. In the face of a burgeoning
population, and decreasing rice hectarage in the Philippines, hybrid rice comes
strong as one important solution.
Three major hybrid rice varieties have been developed. They are: PSB
Rc26H (Magat), which requires 110 days for production, and has an average
yield of 5.6 t/ha; PSB Rc72H (Mestizo), which requires 123 days for production
and has an average yield of 5.4 t/ha – with a 25.25% yield advantage across
locations and seasons (1998 DS – 1999 DS); and PSB Rc76H (Panay), which
requires 106 days for production and has an average yield of 4.8 t/ha.
It should be emphasized that seed production technology for hybrids is quite
different from that of inbred varieties. New hybrid seeds should be produced
every cropping season. And maintenance of more than 98% genetic purity is a
must to realize the maximum yield potential.

Seeding of parental lines in the seedbed

It is better to grow the seedlings by the wetbed method because it:

• Ensures proper seed germination

• Provides healthy and vigorous seedlings.
• Requires fewer seeds.

2
Seedbed Preparation
• Puddle the seedbed field thrice at an interval of 7 days to destroy any
germinated rice and weed seeds.

• Construct seedbeds raised about 4-5 cm above the original soil level, 1m
wide of any convenient length.

• Before sowing, incorporate organic fertilizer or compost with the top

layer of the seedbed at 1.25 kg/m2.

• Prepare 1000m2 seedbeds for every hectare of production field.

• Establish the seedbeds away from any light source.

Pre-germinating seeds
• Soak A-line seeds in clean water for 12 hrs. Soak R-line seeds for 24
hours.

• Stir the seeds upon soaking and discard those that float on the surface.

• Wash the seeds before incubation.

• Change the water every 6 hours.

• Incubate the seeds for 24 hours in a warm and shady place.

3
SEED REQUIREMENT AND DENSITY
Seeding rate/ha: 20 - 25 kg A-line (female); - 10 kg R-line (male)

Seed density: 25 g seeds/m2. Sparse seeding provides vigorous seedlings

characterized by the following characteristics; multi-tillered, short stature,
greener leaves, greater dry matter accumulation. The extent of competi-
tion is lesser, compared to those that are densely seeded.

SEEDING INTERVAL
Note: A-line is sown once and R-line is sown twice

DRY SEASON (DS)

Sowing Time Parent Seeding Rate (kg/ha)
1st day IR 34686 R1 5.0
7th day IR 34686 R2 5.0
10th day IR 58025 A 20 – 25

WET SEASON (WS)

Sowing Time Parent Seeding Rate (kg/ha)
1st day IR 34686 R1 5.0
7th day IR 34686 R2 5.0
21st day IR 58025 A 20 – 25
DS – seeding intervals between A & R1 is 8-10 days.
WS - seeding intervals between A & R1 is 20-21 days.

MANAGING THE SEEDBED

• Water level – soil should be saturated before seedlings have reached 4.1
leaves or until 10 days after seeding (DAS).

• Occasionally drain off water to attain seedling vigor.

• Gradually increase water depth (2-3 cm) to control weeds.

• Pull remaining weeds by hand.

• Broadcast 5-10g 14-14-14 or 16-20-0 at 10 days after sowing

4
PRODUCTION FIELD
Typical characteristics of production site:
• Sufficient sunlight
• Fertile soil
• Favorable climatic environment
• Good irrigation and drainage.
• Low incidence of insect pests & diseases.
• Properly isolated from other ricefields.

TYPES OF ISOLATION
To ensure genetic purity of F1 seeds, the following should be observed:

• Distance Isolation – Maintain at least a distance of 100 m from plots

planted to other rice varieties.

• Time Isolation – Adjust planting time so that flowering period of hybrid

parentals will be at least 21 days earlier or later than other rice varieties
planted nearby

• Barrier Isolation –This may either be crop or artificial barrier provided

that it meets the minimum standard height of 2.5 meters.

• Geographical Isolation – Selection of an area (e.g. area surrounded by

other crops like banana, coconut etc. Not necessarily forested or moun-
tainous areas) that will provide natural protection against unwanted
cross-pollination, pests and diseases. Presently, this has been considered
as the best type of isolation.

TRANSPLANTING
• Straight-row planting makes field operations such as weeding, spraying,
fertilizer application, and roguing easier.

• Proper spacing gives uniform plant growth and optimizes plant population
for maximum seed yield.

5
How to transplant
• Transplant seedlings upright 2-3 cm
deep to promote early recovery and
tillering.
• Transplant one seedling/hill for A-
line and 2-3 seedlings/hill for
R-line.
• Observe proper row
orientation (i.e. perpen-
dicular to prevailing
wind direction. This is a crucial factor to consider especially during
flowering stage as pollen grains from the male parent are allowed to
freely disperse towards the female florets.

Seeding age at transplanting

• Transplant R1 and R2 simultaneously when R2 seedlings reach 20 DAS.
After 10 days (DS) or 21 days (WS), transplant the A-line.

Transplanting in a specific row ratio

• Row Ratio – refers to the number of rows of the male parent (R-line) to
that of the female parent (A-line).
• A row ratio of 2:8 (R:A) is used in the Wet and 2:12 in the
Dry season.

6
 Replant missing hills
• Keep the soil saturated until the plants recover in 4-5 days. Then in-
crease the water level to 2-3 cm.
• Replant all missing hills within 5 days after transplanting.
• Observe proper handling of seedlings to ensure that A and R-lines seed-
lings are replanted at the right rows.

WEED CONTROL
Weeds can be controlled using the following methods:
• Hand-pulling
• Mechanical (use of mechanical weeders)
• Chemical (use of herbicides)

DISEASE AND INSECT PEST CONTROL

• Observe proper disease and insect pest control by applying the necessary
IPM (Integrated Pest Management) methods.

FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT
• Apply entire amount of recommended P, K and organic to seed production
plots just before the last harrowing.
• Nitrogen should be applied in 3 splits:
- 1/3 5-7 days after transplanting
- 1/3 20-25 days after transplanting
- 1/3 at 5-7 days before panicle initiation.
WS – (60-90)-40-45 kg NPK/ha
DS – 120-50-60 kg NPK/ha

7
WATER MANAGEMENT
• Observe 2-3 cm depth of water level for recovery.
• Saturate the soil at maximum tillering, then drain until the field slightly
cracks.
• Observe water level at 3-5 cm during panicle initiation (gradually in-
crease water level at 3-5 cm. at the reproductive stage).
• Saturate soil during flowering, but increase water level from 3-5 cm
during GA3 application.
• Drain water 2 weeks before expected harvest.

PREDICTION OF FLOWERING DATE

• Weather fluctuations during growing season and crop management
practices affect flowering synchronization.
• Prediction helps to take corrective measures at the right time
• Observe the developing panicles from the A and R-line rows at panicle
initiation stage. To check if flowering need to be adjusted.

8
 Adjusting Flowering Date
If a parental is expected to flower earlier, delay flowering by:
• Application of quick releasing N fertilizer (urea – 2% concentration)
• Draining water from field.
• Leaf clipping

If flowering of a parental is delayed, promote flowering by:

• Spraying 1% solution of phosphate fertilizer or KH2PO4
• Keep water standing in the field
• Spraying GA3

FLAG LEAF CLIPPING

• Removes the obstacle/barrier thus promoting cross-pollination.
• Enhances uniform pollen movement and wide dispersal of the pollen
grains to give higher seed set.
• Conducted when primary tillers are at the late booting stage.
• Cut 1/3 to ½ of the flag leaf back from the top.
• Do not clip the flag leaf in plots infected with leaf diseases because the
wound may favor infection
• Flag leaf clipping is not recommended during the wet season because of
the prevalence of leaf diseases.

9
GIBBERELLIC ACID (GA3) APPLICATION
Functions of GA3
• Adjusts plant height of both parents
• Enhances panicle exsertion from the flag leaf
• Increases the duration of floret opening
• Increases the rate of the stigma exsertion and lengthens the duration of
stigma receptivity to pollen.

Rate, Time and Frequency of application

Crop Stage 15-20% heading
• Rate ranges from 100 g/ha (WS) to 150 g/ha (DS) usually
sprayed 3 times.

• Spraying of GA3
- 1st day – 30%
- 2nd day – 50%
- 3rd day – 20%

When to spray

• Spraying is conducted during sunny days late in the afternoon. Do not

spray if rain is expected within 24 hours after spraying.

• Spray only on calm days to prevent GA3 from drifting onto other nearby
fields.

SUPPLEMENTARY POLLINATION
• Performed by manually shaking the canopy of the male parent at the
flowering stage during the period of anthesis or pollen dehiscence

• Facilitates pollination by dispersing of pollen from the male to the female

parent

10
METHODS
• Rope pulling
• Use of bamboo sticks

TIMING
• Performed on calm days when wind speed is low (1-3 km/hr).
• Begin supplementary pollination in the morning when the seed parent
blooms and the florets of the pollen parent begin to open.
• Shake the canopy every 30 minutes until all blooming florets in the pollen
parent are closed (usually 10 am – 1:30 pm)

ROGUING
• Removal of volunteer plants and off-types.
• Prevents off-types from cross-pollinating with A-line plants causing low
purity of hybrid seed.

Crop stage for roguing

• Off-types can be removed from the field whenever they appear.
• The most important stages for roguing are:
- At maximum tillering.
- At flowering
- Before harvest

11
At maximum tillering
• Remove any plant outside the rows.
• Remove plants that are considerably taller or shorter than the seed or
pollen parents.
• Remove all diseased plants from the seed production plot
• Remove all off-types:
- in leaf blade size or shape.
- In color of the leaf sheath or collar.

At flowering
• Remove plants from the A-line that have plump, yellow anthers and shed
pollen.
• Remove plants in the A-line rows with fully exserted panicles.
• Remove all off-types:
- plants that flower very early or very late.
- Different flag, leaf angle, panicle type and size.

12
Before harvest
• In A-line rows, remove plants that have normal seed set.
• Remove plants with different in grain shape, color and size, or those
without awns (if A-line has awns).

Harvesting
• Harvest the R line first, and then the A-line.
• The A-line harvest are called F1 or hybrid seed. The R-line harvest should
not be used as seed.
• The harvest from A and R-lines must be kept separate from each other
during harvesting, threshing, drying and bagging.

When to harvest
• Harvesting is conducted when 90% of the grains in the main panicles of
the A-line plants are clear, firm and straw colored. The rest of the grains
should be in the hard dough stage.
• Drain the HRSP field 2 weeks before expected harvest.

Harvesting the R-line

• Harvest the R-line rows first.
• Harvest plants manually.
• Remove the R-line harvest and store it in a safe place for threshing later.

Harvesting the A-line

• Rogue the A-line rows one more time before harvest (perform only when
R-line is already harvested).
- Remove plants with normal seed set.
- Remove any other plants that appear to be off-types.
• The A-line can be harvested manually or mechanically.

13
THRESHING
• All threshing equipment and the threshing floor should be thoroughly
cleaned before threshing.
• Thresh the A-line first, then the R-line.
• New jute sacks or clean used sacks should be available for bagging the
seeds.
• During threshing, seed parent and pollen parent harvests must be kept
separate from each other.

DRYING AND CLEANING

• Dry seeds after threshing to less than 14% MC to maintain good seed
quality.
• Dry seeds by mechanical dryer or solar dryer.
• Do not dry the seeds directly on a concrete floor.
• Stir seeds occasionally to ensure uniform drying.
• Clean dried seeds to remove impurities, weed seeds, immature, and
unfilled spikelets.
• Seed can be cleaned manually by winnowing or by using seed cleaners.
• Bag clean seeds in new containers and place the proper label (variety,
date of harvest, lot number).

STORAGE
• For immediate planting or distribution, store at room temperature.
• Seeds that will be used for next seasons planting should be stored in a
cool, dry place.

14
 SEED STANDARDS
Factors F1 Seed (%)
Pure seed (min.) 98
Weed and other crop seed (max.) 10
Inert matter (max.) 2
Red rice, grains/500 grms (max.) 2
Other varieties grains/500 grms (max.) 20
Germination (min.) 85
Moisture content (max.) 14

IMPROVEMENTS/ MODIFICATIONS OF SOME HRSP TECHNOLOGIES:

• Reduce seeding density to 20 g seeds per m2 seedbed.
• Observe rational top-dressing of urea on the seedlings.
• Apply 1000 g/ha MET at 1.1 to 2.1 leaf stage.
• Seeding interval between R1 and A-line of Mestizo (PhilRice, Maligaya)
• Apply actericide after flag leaf clipping. Leaf clipping is not advisable
during wet season due to prevalence of leaf diseases especially caused by
bacteria.
• The use of bamboo sticks or PVC for supplementary pollination is more
effective than using rope.
• Sow R-line twice (R1 and R2) for increased pollen concentration. Using
three R-lines (R1, R2 and R3) causes staggered pollen distribution, result-
ing in reduced seed setting rate in the A-line. However, sowing 3 R-lines
mat be advantageous to beginners or when seed growers are not sure of
the seeding interval
• Apply additional fertilizers to the R-line rows to improve vigor, hence,
increased outcrossing potential.

15
REFERENCES
Virmani, S.S. and H.L. Sharma (1993), Hybrid Rice Seed Production published
by the International Rice Research Institute, Philippines

Casiwan, C.B. and Alice M. Briones (1999), Travel Report and Initial Feedback
on Hybrid Seed Production from Hybrid Rice Growers in Davao del Sur,
Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental, Philippines.

Redona. E.D., et al. (1998), Hybrid Rice Technology in the Philippines: From
Laboratory to Farmer’s Fields. Article published in the Crop Science
Society of the Philippines Journal. 1998. 23 (1) 1-11

16
Subject Matter Specialists
Dr. Edilberto D. Redoña
Dr. Frisco M. Malabanan
Mr. Errol V. Santiago
Mr. Dexter Bastasa
Ms. Imelda A. dela Cruz
Ms. Marie Stella G. Ablaza
Mr. Reynaldo E. Irang
Mr. Tagumpay S. Velasquez
Mr. Salvador I. Yabes

Managing Editor
Karen Eloisa T. Barroga

Cover & Design

Carlo G. Dacumos (carlo77@mozcom.com)

Illustrator
Carlito N. Bibal

Editorial Advisers
Leocadio S. Sebastian, PhD
Teresa P. De Leon

For further information, contact:

Philippine Rice Research Institute
Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, 3119 Nueva Ecija
Tel. No. (044) 456-0651; -0113 local 511-514

Published 2001 by the Philippine Rice Research Institute. Readers are

encouraged to reproduce the contents of this bulletin with acknowledgment.
 DA-PhilRice
The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is a government corporation attached
to the Department of Agriculture (DA). Executive Order 1061 approved on November 5,
1985 and amended by EO 60 dated Nov. 7, 1986, created PhilRice to help develop high-
yielding technologies so that farmers can produce enough rice for all Filipinos. PhilRice
accomplishes this mission through research, technology promotion, and policy advocacy,
which are implemented through a network that includes 57 agencies and 115 seed
centers strategically located nationwide.
Its interdisciplinary programs include the following: (1) direct-seeded and (2) trans-
planted irrigated lowland rice; (3) hybrid rice; (4) rice for adverse environments; (5) rice-
based farming systems; (6) rice and rice-based products; (7) policy research and
advocacy; and (8) technology promotion. With these programs, PhilRice aims to develop
and promote technologies that are ecosystem-based, location- and problem-specific, and
profitable to the Filipino farmers.

for more information, DA-PhilRice Maligaya

write, visit or call: Science City of Muñoz, 3119 Nueva Ecija
Tel: 63 (044) 456-0113, -0258, -0277
Tel/Fax: 63 (044) 456-0112; -0651 local 511;
-0652 local 515;
e-mail: philrice@mozcom.com
Website: http://www.philrice.gov.ph

DA-PhilRice Los Baños

UPLB Campus, College, 4031 Laguna
Tel: 63 (049) 536-3631 to 33, -3635
Tel/Fax: 63 (049) 536-3515
e-mail: philrice@laguna.net

DA-PhilRice San Mateo

Malasin, San Mateo, 3318 Isabela
Tel: 63 (078) 664-2280, -2954
Tel/Fax: 63 (078) 664-2953
e-mail: philrice_isabela@digitelone.com

DA-PhilRice Batac
17 Tabug, Batac, 2906 Ilocos Norte
Tel: 63 (077) 792-4714
Tel/Fax: 63 (077) 792-4702; -4745; -2543
e-mail: philrice@ILN.CSI.com.ph

DA-PhilRice DA-PhilRice Midsayap

Department of Agriculture
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Bual Norte, Midsayap, 9410 North Cotabato
Tel: 63 (06422) 97242
Tel/Fax: 63 (06422) 98178
e-mail: philrice@microweb.com.ph

DA-PhilRice Agusan
Basilisa, RTRomualdez, 8611 Agusan del Norte
Tel: 63 (085) 818-2277, -3377
Tel/Fax: 63 (085) 818-4477
e-mail: cvces001@cdo.philcom.com.ph