Crop management Effect of planting time, lopping, and N fertilization on growth and yield of traditional rice variety C14-8

in the Andaman Islands, India 18 Integrated pest managementinsects Relationship between farmers' early- and late-season insecticide sprays 19 Analysis of factors influencing farmers' insecticide sprays 20 Efficiency of a natural biocontrol agent for brown planthopper 21 lntegrated pest managementother pests Rice stem nematode Ditylenchus angustus development and survival 21
Research methodology

An efficient inoculation method for rice blast 23 A computer-aided, alternating current-based feeding monitor for detecting activities of plant sap-sucking rice insects 23
News about research collaboration

page 15

22nd International Rice Research Conference report 25 Five researchers named outstanding young women rice scientists 25 INGER-Myanmar: a success story 26 Breeding rice to improve the health of women and children 26 Improving rice farming in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam 26 IRRI introduces small, powerful harvester 26 High science-low tech: using "heuristics" in integrated pest management 27 ADB supports rainfed lowland rice research 27 Rainfed Lowland Rice Research Consortium: new advanced center for plant physiology 27 Ten IRRI breeding lines released in eight countries in 1994 28 Announcements Announcements IRRI scientist named fellow of the Royal Society 28 Attention collaborators: INGER nurseries available for 1996 28 Biotechnologia Habana '95 29 2nd International Symposium on Systems Approaches for Agricultural Development 30 Rice dateline 30 New IRRI publications 30 Rice literature update reprint service 31 IRRI group training courses for 1995 31 New publications 31 Call for news 31 IRRI address 31
Instruction for constributors Instruction for constributors

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IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

Germplasm improvement
Genetics
Analysis of seed, cytoplasmic, and maternal genetic effects on rice quality traits
Shi Chunhai and Zhu Jun, Agronomy Department, Zhejiang Agricultural University (ZAU), Hangzhou 310029, China
Table 1. Estimated genetic variances, covariances, and heritabilities of milling quality traits in indica rice. Parametera Brown rice weight 8.285**b 0.499** 2.340** 5.308** 1.257** 4.264 0.300 0.183** 0.460** 0.119 0.268* Milled rice weight 4.184** 0.335** 2.128** 2.863** 1.270** 1.547 0.233 0.146** 0.358** 0.179 0.289* Brown rice recovery 0.000 2.236** 2.598** 0.000 3.648** 0.000 1.329 1.011** 0.000 0.000 0.380 Milled rice recovery 19.181** 6.494** 2.373** 19.630** 9.913** 0.402 3.863 1.334** 0.373* 0.382* 0.047 Head rice recovery from milled rice 160.667** 45.132** 169.232** 0.000 79.054** 0.000 19.051 5.033** 0.382** 0.000 0.402**

We analyzed the genetic effects of seeds, cytoplasm, and the maternal plant on milling quality traits of rice by using the genetic model for quantitative traits of endosperm in cereal crops. Nine cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines and five restorer lines of indica rice were used in an incomplete diallel cross (9 5) during the 1994 early season. Seeds of parents and F1s were sown on 28 Mar in the field at ZAU and single plants were transplanted on 29 Apr at 20- 20-cm spacing, with 24 plants per plot and three replications. Seed samples of parents or F1s were taken at maturity from eight plants in the middle of the plot. Quantitative traits were measured for each sample of parents, F1s, and F2s, using three replications. Milling quality traits were controlled by seed, cytoplasmic, and maternal genetic effects (Table 1). Maternal effects were more important than seed effects for brown rice recovery (BRR) and milled rice recovery (MRR). Seed effects mainly controlled brown rice weight (BRW), milled rice weight (MRW), and head rice recovery from milled rice (HRR). Cytoplasmic effects accounted for 4.1-37.3% of the total genetic variation and were significant for all milling quality traits. Significant additive covariance and dominance covariance were not detected, indicating no relationship existed between seed and maternal genetic effects for these milling quality traits. Seed and cytoplasmic heritabilities were important for BRW, MRW, and HRR, but seed and maternal heritabilities mainly affected MRR. Additive correlation was important between BRW and MRW, BRW and MRR, BRW and HRR, and MRW and MRR (Table 2).
4 IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

VA VD VC VAm VDm CA.Am CD.Dm Ve ho2 hm2 hc2

a V = additive variance, V = seed dominance variance. V A D c = cytoplasmic variance, V Am = maternal additive variance, VDm = maternal dominance, C A.Am = covariance between seed and maternal additive effects, C D.Dm = covariance between seed and maternal dominance effects, V e = variance of residual effects, h o2 = seed heritability, h m2 = maternal heritability, and h c 2 = cytoplasmic heritability. b*, ** = significant at 5 and 1% level, respectively.

Table 2. Correlation components between milling quality traits in indica rice. Traits BRW and MRW BRW and BRR BRW and MRR BRW and HRR MRW and BRR MRW and MRR MRW and HRR BRR and MRR BRR and HRR MRR and HRR Seed additive correlation 0.720** a 0.000 0.596** 0.486** 0.000 0.364** 0.174** 0.000 0.000 0.314** Seed dominance correlation 0.540** 0.093* 0.334** 0.126** 0.251** 0.009 0.175** 0.258** 0.172** 0.208** Cytoplasmic correlation 0.477** 0.378** 0.135** 0.253** 0.571** 0.453** 0.349** 0.496** 0.393** 0.310** Maternal additive correlation 0.509** 0.000 0.311** 0.000 0.000 0.145** 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 Maternal dominance correlation 0.426** 0.032 0.001 0.041 0.075 0.119** 0.066 0.264** 0.157** 0.182** Residual correlation 0.100 0.159* 0.118 0.123* 0.136 0.344** 0.123* 0.269** 0.059 0.008

a *, ** = significant at 5 and 1% level, respectively.

Tall and dwarf nearisogenic lines of indica rice characterized

Shi Chunhai and Shen Zongtan, Agronomy Department, Zhejiang Agricultural University, Hangzhou 310029, China

The effects of the semidwarf gene sd1 on agronomic traits in indica rice were studied using seven tall and dwarf near isogenic lines (NILs) bred by semidwarf 8/ tall varieties (B 7F2 ) (see figure). Tall and dwarf NILs Ainanzai 1 8/ Liantangzao (T1 and Dl), Erjiuqing 8/ Liantangzao (T2 and D2), Fulianai 8/ Liantangzao (T3 and D3), Erjiufeng 8/ Liantangzao (T4 and D4), Guangluai 4 8/ Liantangzao (T5 and D5), Erjiufeng 8/ Lucaihao (T6 and D6), and Guangluai 4 8 /

Lucaihao (T7 and D7) and their parents were transplanted according to their height in different plots at 15- 15-cm spacing in 1993. Agronomic traits (days to heading, flag leaf length and width, plant height, panicle length, internode length, effective panicles per plant, spikelets per panicle, 1,000-grain weight, yield per plant, biomass, and harvest index) were measured for 20 plants in the middle of the plot. Flag leaf length, plant height, panicle length, and internode length were inhibited by the sd1 gene (see table). However, the sd1 gene increased the effective panicles per plant and harvest index. The yield of dwarf NILs was higher than that of tall NILs (d = 2.54). The sd1 gene did not affect days to

heading, flag leaf width, spikelets per panicle, 1,000-grain weight, or plant biomass. Pleiotropism of the sd1 gene and the relationship between plant height and effective panicles were shown.
Effects of the semidwarf gene sd1 on agronomic traits were studied using 7 tall and dwarf NILS bred by semidwarf 8 /tall varieties (B7 F2 ).

Comparison of tall (T) and dwarf (D) near-isogenic lines for some traits. T- D lines Days to heading Flag leaf Length (cm) 9.41** 5.67** 7.09** 8.84** 6.30** 5.88** 6.30** 7.07** Width (cm) 0.18** 0.02 0.09* 0.02 0.18** 0.16** 0.10** 0.08 Plant height (cm) 38.40** 36.65** 39.58** 33.62** 39.91** 32.43** 41.30** 37.41** Panicle length (cm) 2.88** 2.88** 1.70** 0.77 0.95** 0.86 1.32** 1.62** Effective panicles/ plant (no.) 1.70** 1.60** 2.05** 3.10** 1.65** 2.40** 2.15** 2.09** Spikelets/ panicle (no.) 11.50** 21.00** 7.70* 2.40 4.40 15.60* 19.35** 5.31 1,000grain weight (g) 0.52 0.60* 0.17 0.11 2.47** 0.43 0.90** 0.54 Yield/ plant (g) 0.78* 2.91** 0.25 2.66** 8.12** 4.78** 0.34 2.54 Biomass (g) Harvest index

T1- D1 T2 - D2 T3 - D3 T4 - D4 T5 - D5 T6 - D6 T7 - D7 da
ad=

1.85** b 2.35** 2.10* 1.70** 0.80 0.85 0.15 0.50

4.27** 0.02 0.67 1.10 7.96** 3.82** 7.29** 0.09

0.06** 0.13** 0.00 0.09** 0.19** 0.08** 0.14** 0.10**

mean difference. b *, ** = significant at 5 and 1% level, respectively. Table 1. Effect of germination and seed setting of the first generation of ZR9 rice seeds on a high space balloon. Treatment Kept on earth (control) Sent to space Seeds (no.) 200 1447 Germination percentage (%) 97.5 78.5 Germination potential (%) 70.3 43.1 Seed setting rate (%) 92.3 74.2 Seedling survival rate (%) 95.1 67.5

Mutation of rice seeds in high space environment

Xu Jianlong, Lin Yizi, and Xi Yongan, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences (ZAAS), Hangzhou 310021, China; Jiang Xingcun, Li Jingguo, lnstitute of Genetics, Academia Sinica, Beijing 100101, China

We studied the mutation rates of seeds from japonica waxy rice variety ZR9 carried on a high space balloon for 8 h at 30-38 km above sea level. Two-thirds of the seeds from an individual plant of ZR9 were sealed in a cloth bag and attached to the balloon. The other third was packed using the same method and kept on earth as a check. We transplanted 767 plants for the space (SP)1 generation and 100 plants for the check in a field at 20- 15-cm spacing. One panicle from each plant of SP1 was harvested to produce the SP2 population. We planted 2,500 plants for SP2 population and 200 for the check. Various mutant types of SP2 were harvested randomly and used to develop SP3 lines. We investigated the character

Table 2. Variation of major agronomic characters in the SP 2 generation a . ZAAS, Hangzhou, China. Character Plant height (cm) Growth duration b (d) Productive panicles (no.) Panicle length (cm) Grain length (mm) Grain width (mm) Grains/panicle (no.) Fertility (%) 1,000-gram weight (g) Check SP2 Check SP2 Check SP2 Check SP2 Check SP2 Check SP2 Check SP2 Check SP2 Check SP2 X S 107.2 105.5*c 104.3 104.2 5.1 8.7** 19.3 21.3* 7.3 7.7** 3.5 3.7* 182.2 200.3** 92.7 87.3* 28.3 28.5 4.1 15.2 1.3 4.7 1.0 3.1 1.4 1.9 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.2 27.6 34.6 2.6 7.5 1.3 2.9 CV (%) 3.82 14.41 1.25 4.51 19.61 35.63 7.25 8.92 2.74 6.49 2.86 5.41 15.15 17.27 2.80 8.59 4.59 10.18

a 50 plants were studied for the check and 200 for SP . b From planting to heading. c *, ** = significant difference at 5 2

and 1% level, respectively.

IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

expression of SP1 and SP2 generations and average values of correlation heritability between individual SP 2 plants and SP 3 lines. The germination rate, germination potential, seed setting rate, and seedling survival rate of the seeds recovered from the balloon were all lower than those of the check kept on earth (Table 1). Some characters of the SP 1 population, such as plant height, the panicle type, and grain color, had variations after heading.

Mutation frequency was 3.4%. In SP2, nine major agronomic characters showed larger segragations (Table 2), and the braodness and range of variations surpassed those of SP 1. The mutation frequency increased to 4.3%. The check ZR9, however, grew evenly, and all characters still kept their original heritable characteristics with no segragation. The correlation heritability was high between individual SP2 plants and those in SP 3 lines. Variations included by exposure to high space can be heritable.

IRRN REMINDER

Multiple submissions. Normally, only one report for single experiment will be accepted. Two or more items about the same work submitted at the same time will be returned for merging. Submitting at different times multiple notes from the same experiment is highly inappropriate. Detection will result in the rejection of all submissions on that research.

Breeding methods
Maintainers and restorers identified from local germplasm in Pakistan using IRRI cytoplasmic male sterile lines
S. S. Ali and M. G. Khan, Rice Research Institute (RRI), Kala Shah Kaku, Lahore, Pakistan

We are studying the feasibility of hybrid rice seed production under local conditions. Fifteen aromatic and nonaromatic local varieties and lines were crossed during 1993 kharif (wet) season with three wild abortive (WA) cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines from IRRI: IR58025 A, lR62829 A, and IR64608 A. Forty-five F1 hybrids and their male parents and three isogenic maintainers

were transplanted in rows of 30 plants spaced at 23 23 cm on 7 Nov 1994. Standard agronomic and plant protection measures were followed, and 120 kg N/ ha and 60 kg P/ha were applied. Ten plants from each hybrid were labeled. Three panicles from each of these plants were marked and bagged before flowering. Spikelet fertility was calculated as a percentage of filled grains. Five spikelets from the upper part of each panicle were collected before anthesis and fixed in 70% alcohol. Two to three anthers from each spikelet were placed together on a glass slide, squashed in 1% potassium iodide solution, and screened for sterile and fertile pollen. Fertile pollens were deeply stained, fully developed, and round. Male parents of the hybrids showing 100% pollen and spikelet sterility were

designated as potential maintainers. Restorers showed 81-100% pollen and spikelet fertility. The rest were classified as partial restorers. Among the 45 hybrids tested, 47456 and PK4112 were potential maintainers and 4029-2 and 4029-3 were restorers for all three CMS lines. The other pollen parents behaved differentially for the CMS lines (see table). This shows that marked cytoplasmic nuclear interaction exists and expression of restorer genes varies with the genetic background of female parents. The maintainer lines identified are being used in a backcrossing program for inducing cytoplasmic male sterility in local materials. Restorer lines 4029-2 and 4029-3 will be used to develop new hybrid combinations.

Maintainer and restorer linesa identified for IRRI CMS lines at RRI, Kala Shah Kaku, Lahore, Pakistan. 1994. Pollen parent 47456 49744 Basmati 385 PK4112 4048-3 Besudi Basmati 370 4029 A 4029 B KS282 IR6 4029-2 4029-3 33608 35904 Spikelet fertility of hybrids with particular CMS line lR58025 A M PR PR M PR PR M PR PR M PR R R PR PR lR62829 A M PR M M PR PR M M PR PR PR R R PR PR lR64608 A M R M M M PR PR PR PR M M R R PR R

Regeneration of plantlets from protoplasts of Dongxiang wild rice (Oryza rufipogon)

Zhu Deyao, Wan Yong, Shen Xianhua, Pan Hao, Ding Xiaohua, and Yin Jianhua, Rice Research Institute, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang 330200, China

Dongxiang wild rice is distributed in northeastern China. The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences confirmed that it belongs to O. rufipogon. No one has previously reported plant regeneration from its protoplast-derived calli.

aR = restorer, PR = partial restorer, and M = maintainer.

IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

Dehulled seeds were surface-sterilized and cultured on N6 medium. After 3 wk, light yellow calli were transferred to AA liquid medium and incubated on a rotary shaker at 120 rpm to establish cell suspension. The culture was incubated at 27 C in the dark. Protoplasts were isolated from the suspension culture after 2-3 d of subculturing in an enzyme mixture (pH 5.8) containing 0.2% pectolyase Y-23 (w/v), 1 % macerozyme (w/v), 1% cellulase Onozuka R-10 (w/v), 0.5% cellulase Onozuka RS (w/v), MES (5 mM), MgCl2 6 H2 O (30.83 mg/liter), and 7.2% glucose (w/v). Suspension cells were incubated for 5-6 h in the enzymatic mixture and filtered through a 30-m nylon filter. Protoplasts were collected by centrifuging at 500 rpm for 3 min and washed in a

solution containing mannitol (0.4 M) and CPW mixture. Protoplasts (105/ ml) were suspended at 35 C in a modified RY-2 medium (pH 5.8) that was supplemented with casein hydrolysate (300 mg/liter), glutamine (800 mg/liter), 2,4-D (1 mg/liter), NAA (1 mg/liter), zeatin (0.5 mg/liter), 13% sucrose (w/v), and 0.8% agarose (w/v). The protoplast mixture was cultured in petri dishes ( 6 cm) on agarose balls (50-100 l per drop). When solidified, liquid RY-2 medium (2-3 ml) was added to cover these flat drops, then the petri dishes were sealed with a parafilm and incubated at 27 C in the dark. The first cell divisions were observed within 4 d, and microcolonies of the cells developed into macroscopic calli after a month.

We transferred 96 protoplast-derived calli to the regeneration medium. Only four albinos were obtained. The others were transferred to solid N6 medium supplemented with NAA (0.5 mg/liter), BAP (1 mg/liter), and ABA (2-5 mg/ liter). One week later, more than half of the calli started to grow slowly, turning white and becoming compact. Welldeveloped embryogenic calli continued to grow actively, and upon their transfer to the regeneration medium, shoots regenerated into young plantlets. We obtained three green plantlets and 28 albino plantlets from 152 calli and observed green spots or shoots from 37 calli. ABA increased the frequency of regeneration of protoplast-derived calli.

New cytoplasmic male sterile line with lower negative effects of cytoplasm on some quantitative traits in rice
Wang Wenming and Wen Hongcan, Rice and Sorghum Institute. Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SASS). Luzhou 646100, China

Cytoplasmic effects a on yield components of early-season hybrid rice. CMS typeb CMS-L CMS-J CMS-Y CMS-S CMS-D CMS-K CMS-WA
a b

Grain yield/ panicle 6.3** c 11.5** 4.6 0.4 0.1 1.3 11.8**
aF1-bF1

Panicle length 2.4** 2.6** 1.5 1.3 1.0 0.1 1.3

x 100.

Spikelets/ panicle 4.3 9.5** 0.1 0.1 2.5 5.2* 6.7**

Filled seeds/ panicle 13.7** 19.6** 10.8** 7.3* 5.2 0.1 0.1

Seed set percentage 10.4** 11.3** 11.2** 7.3** 8.2** 6.7** 7.8**

1,000-grain weight 3.4** 1.6* 7.0** 2.3** 0.1 0.1 7.8**

Cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines used in hybrid rice breeding in China have had two cytoplasmic sources. One is derived from wild rice (O. sativa L. f. spontanea Roschev.) and the other from an indica cultivar. To diversify the cytoplasmic background of hybrid rice, we developed CMS lines with new cytoplasm derived from a japonica source. In 1986, we found several male sterile plants with white and shriveled anthers and aborted pollens in the F2 population of a japonica/indica cross: 83-k52 /Lu Hongzao 1 //Zhen Xinzhan 2. These sterile plants were then backcrossed with maintainers as recurrent parents. Three CMS lines were developedK Qing A in 1988, K19 A in 1990, and K17 A in 1992 and designated as CMS-K lines. Using these CMS lines, four hybrid rice combinations have been released, and five more are being tested at provincial and national levels.

Cytoplasmic effects =

bF1

CMS-J and CMS-L from SAAS breeding materials, CMS-Y from ll-32A. CMS-S from Xie Qingzao A, CMS-D from D Shan A, CMS-W from Zhen Shan 97 A. c *,** = significant at 5 and 1% level, respectively.

We evaluated the K-cytoplasmic effects on yield components for hybrid rice in the 1992 early season using seven isogenic-alloplasmic male sterile lines and their maintainer, Lu Hongzao 1 B, crossed with two early-maturing restorers. Plots (2.5 m 2 ) were laid out in a complete randomized block design with three replications. CMS-K had a significant positive effect on spikelets/panicle and a significant negative effect on seed set percentage. For the other traits, the effects were not significant. The six other cytoplasms inducing male sterility showed either significantly negative effects or significant effects on the characters studied (see table). Compared with Zhen Shan 97 A, K17 A had the best stigma exsertion (94%), outcrossing rate (73.8%), yield

propagation, and seed production, followed by K Qing A and K19 A. The lower negative effects of cytoplasm and higher outcrossing rate make CMS-K lines valuable for both hybrid rice production and breeding.

Efficiency of different media used in anther culture of hybrid rice

N. T. Hoan, Cuu Long Delta Rice Research Institute, Cantho, Omon, Vietnam; Balachandran, N. P. Sarma, and E. A. Siddiq, Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad 500030, India

A promising hybrid, IR58025 A/IRBB7, was chosen for use in anther culture. The anthers were inoculated in culture tubes
IRRN 20:2 (June 1995) 7

containing different semisolid media N6(a), N6(b), Heh5, MSNl, and SK1 to determine which was the best for culturing hybrid rice. All the calli were transferred to plant regeneration medium SK11 (MS base + 1 mg NAA + 1 mg BAP + 0.5 mg kinetin + 30 g sucrose/liter). The regenerated plants were transferred to half strength MS medium without hormones and left for about 3 wk to allow plantlets to harden and to ensure good root growth. Seedlings were then transferred to liquid medium (Yoshidas solution) for 1 wk before being planted in pots. In general, a negative relationship between frequency of callus induction and regeneration was recorded (see table). For example, N6(b) had the highest callus induction (8.1 %), but the frequency of regenerated plants from the calli was the lowest among the media. On the other

Response of F1 hybrid lR58025 A/IRBB7 anthers to different media. a Medium Anthers plated (no.) 1320 800 500 400 1500 Calli obtained (no.) 76 (5.8) 65 (8.1) 12 (2.4) 28 (7.0) 59 (3.9) Calli subcultured (no.) 65 60 12 25 52 Calli regenerated into green plants (no.) 7 (10.8) 3 (5.0) 4 (33.3) 3 (12) 14 (26.9) Green plants obtained/ 1,000 anthers plated (no.) 6.2 4.1 8.0 8.4 10.5

N6 (a) (2 mg 2,4-D/liter) N6 (b) (1 mg 2,4-D + 2 mg NAA/liter) Heh5 MSN1 SK1

a

Figures in parentheses indicate percentage of success.

hand, Heh5 induced the lowest percentage of calli (2.4%), but had the highest regeneration rate. A more important index of success is the percentage of green seedlings ultimately recovered. Using this index, SK1

produced 10.5 green seedlings per 1,000 anthers plated, SMN1 produced 8.4, and Heh5 produced 8.0. Thus, to obtain a minimum of 150 seedlings, at least 15,000 anthers must be inoculated in best medium SK1.

Yield potential
Effect of seed size on grain yield of rice
S. K. Varshney, S. K. Sinha, and B. N. Jha, Seed Technology Department, Tirhut College of Agriculture (TCA), Dholi 843121, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India

Table 2. Effect of seed size on grain yield and quality of seed produced from different rice grades. TCA, Bihar, India. 1991 and 1992 wet seasons. Treatment Size Graded Ungraded Undersized Variety Mahsuri Sujata CD (5%) (Size) CD (5%) (Variety) CV (%) Grain yield (t/ha) 1991 3.4 2.9 2.5 2.5 3.4 0.5 0.4 14.6 1992 4.6 3.4 3.1 2.8 4.3 0.6 0.5 17.3 1,000grain wt (g) 22.1 21.1 19.7 20.5 21.5 ns b ns 11.6 Germination a (%) Seedling length (cm) 21.4 21.5 22.1 21.8 21.5 ns ns 11.1

83.8 82.8 81.5 82.8 82.5 ns ns 1.5

Grading is an integral step in seed processing for obtaining quality seeds. We investigated the effect of seed size on rice yield. Ungraded, graded, and undersized seeds of two popular rice varieties were procured from the seed processing plant at TCA and characterized (Table 1).
Table 1. Characteristics of different grades of seeds used initially in the study. TCA, Bihar, India. Treatment Mahsuri Graded Ungraded Undersized Sujata Graded Ungraded Undersized SE 1,000grain wt (g) 15.7 15.0 10.0 22.5 22.0 16.5 1.8 Germination (%) Seedling length (cm) 20.8 18.8 16.9 22.7 22.7 20.0 0.9

aAnalysis based on angular transformed values. b ns = not significant.

81 72 50 76 76 52 5

Seeds that passed through a screen with 1.85-mm oblong slits were categorized as undersized and those that did not were categorized as graded. Seedlings were raised following standard practices. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with four replications and 5 2 m 2 plot size. Two seedlings per hill were transplanted at a spacing of 20 cm between rows and 15 cm within rows for each of the six treatments in 1991 and 1992 kharif (wet) seasons. Recommended practices were followed to raise the crop.

Seed yield was recorded for each treatment and the data were analyzed statistically. We also recorded the 1,000grain weight, germination percentage for 400 seeds (100 seeds from each replication), and seedling length from the seeds produced with different grades. The graded seed of Mahsuri was superior to the others for germination percentage and seedling length (Table 2). However, for Sujata, graded and ungraded seeds were similar for all characters. Undersized seeds were poor for these attributes in both varieties.

IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

Seed size affected significantly seed yields for different grades in both varieties (Table 2). The graded seeds gave significantly higher yields than did the other seed grades. Ungraded and undersized seeds did not differ statistically in grain yield. Sujata, however, was significantly superior to Mahsuri for seed yield. The interaction between seed size and variety was not significant, which emphasizes the importance of grading for obtaining quality rice seed and for realizing a varietys yield potential. Using ungraded or undersized seed to produce a crop may adversely affect yield potential and should be discouraged. No marked difference existed in the seed quality obtained from different grades of seeds. The main effect of seed size is on the production potential or grain yield and not on the quality of the seeds produced from them.

Table 1. Grain yield of varietal mixtures and pure varieties. Varietal mixture/ pure variety Grain % increase over yield (t/ha) Best pure Check variety 0.0 2.4 14.6 12.2 9.3 6.6 2.7 11.7 19.3 5.9 21.1 18.2 39.9 36.2 0.3 19.0 14.6 12.0 9.2 5.9

1992 RDR536 + Raja Vadlu 8.2 RDR536 + Divya 8.0 RDR536 + Surekha 9.4 RDR536 + Saleem 9.2 Raja Vadlu + Divya 6.8 Raja Vadlu + Surekha 8.0 Raja Vadlu + Saleem 7.7 Divya + Surekha 7.6 Divya + Saleem 7.3 Surekha + Saleem 7.2 RDR536 8.2 Raja Vadlu 7.5 Divya 5.9 Surekha 6.8 Saleem 6.1 CD 0.8 CV (%) 5.6 1993 RDR536 + Raja Vadlu 5.8 RDR536 + Surekha 5.9 RDR536 + Saleem 4.9 RDR536 + RNR 32341 5.7 RDR536 + CSR13 6.0 Raja Vadlu + Surekha 5.9 Raja Vadlu + Saleem 4.8 Raja Vadlu + RNR32341 5.6 Raja Vadlu + CSR13 5.5 Surekha + Saleem 4.8 Surekha + RNR32341 5.4 Surekha + CSR13 5.2 Saleem + RNR32341 5.4 Saleem + CSR13 4.5 RNR32341 + CSR13 5.3 RDR536 5.4 Raja Vadlu 4.8 Surekha 5.1 Saleem 4.6 RNR32341 5.4 CSR13 5.4 CD 0.5 CV (%) 4.8

of the sole varieties; RDR536 + Raja Vadlu, 9.3%; RDR536 + CSR13, 11.1%; and collectively, about 13% more than the check. These combinations were phenotypically uniform, which is desirable. The general combining ability effects are estimated in Table 2, treating the experiment as mechanical diallel. RDR536 in the various mixtures produced more grain and possessed significantly positive general combining ability effects in both years. This study revealed superior performance of varietal mixtures compared with that of pure varieties. Therefore, it is worthwhile to test more varietal mixtures to exploit their competitive ability.

Competitive ability of medium-duration rices for grain yield

N. Kulkarni, Agricultural Research Institute (ARI), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500030, India

Varietal mixtures differ in their efficiency in capturing resources to produce higher yields compared with when varieties are grown in pure stands. We studied the competitive ability of all possible mixtures of five varieties in 1992 and six varieties in 1993. These varieties had long, slender grains and medium duration (130-150 d). Two varieties were mixed in equal proportions, using all possible combinations. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design repeated three times during 1992 and 1993 wet seasons. Each entry was planted in a six-row plot, 5.4 m in length, and spaced at 15 cm between and within rows. One-monthold seedlings of the mixtures and of the pure varieties were planted in 1992 and 45-d-old seedlings in 1993. Grain yield data and percent increase over best pure varieties and check Surekha were recorded (Table 1). In 1992, two varietal mixturesRDR536 + Surekha and RDR536 + Saleemyielded

9.3 9.3 9.2 7.4 11.1 15.7 0.0 3.7 1.9 5.9 0.0 3.7 0.0 1.8 1.8

12.6 14.1 4.9 11.2 12.7 14.1 1.9 7.8 7.0 7.8 5.6 1.4 5.6 11.9 2.1

Pest resistance insects

Resistance of mediumduration rice cultivars to caseworm and leaffolder
H. P. Patnaik, K. M. Samal, and S. Mohapatra, Regional Research Station, Keonjhar 758002, Orissa, lndia

Table 2. General combining ability effects. a 1992 RDR536 Raja Vadlu Divya Surekha Saleem CSR13 RNR32341 SE (gii)
a

1993 0.153** 0.006 0.013 0.274** 0.031 0.081 0.04

0.280** 0.004 0.191** 0.001 0.093* 0.038

*,** = significant at 5 and 1% level, respectively.

12% more grain than when planted individually and 36% more grain than Surekha. Other varietal mixtures also outyielded the check. In 1993, Raja Vadlu + Surekha yielded 15.7% more than the best yields

Caseworm (CW) Nymphula depunctalis (Guene) and leaffolder (LF) Cnaphalocrosis medinalis (Guene) incidences have been high in recent years in the rice-growing area of the north central plateau of Orissa State, India. We evaluated 12 promising medium-duration (120-135 d) rice cultivars for resistance to these pests during 1992 and 1993 wet seasons (WS). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. Each cultivar was transplanted in 4- 2-m plots. The percentage of leaves damaged by CW was recorded at 30 d after transplanting (DT) and that by LF at 50 DT. For each plot, we randomly selected 20 hills and examined five leaves per hill. Low precipitation (996 mm) in 1992 WS favored LF incidence while high precipitation (1200 mm) in 1993 WS favored CW incidence. Cultivar RP2327-318 had high insect damage and low yields in both 1992 and 1993. In contrast, cultivar P622-629
IRRN 20:2 (June 1995) 9

Reaction of promising medium-duration rice cultivars to CW and LF infestation a at Joshipur, Orissa, India. 1992 and 1993 WS. Leaf damage (%) Cultivar Parentage Duration (d) CW 1992 1.6 (5.8)a 4.8 (9.7) 1.3 (5.3) 3.4 (8.2) 2.5 (7.1) 0.0 (1.3) 10.1 (16.1) 0.0 (1.3) 0.0 (1.3) 3.5 (8.3) 2.1 (6.6) 3.6 (10.8) nsc 1993 20.0 (26.1) 28.0 (31.8) 26.0 (30.6) 24.0 (29.3) 28.0 (31.8) 52.0 (46.1) 32.0 (34.4) 18.0 (25.1) 34.0 (35.4) 24.0 (29.3) 34.0 (35.7) 26.0 (30.6) 9.1 Pooled mean 10.8 (15.9) 16.4 (20.7) 13.6 (17.9) 13.7 (18.7) 15.2 (19.4) 26.0 (23.7) 21.0 (25.2) 9.0 (13.2) 17.0 (18.3) 13.7 (18.8) 18.0 (21.1) 14.8 (20.7) ns 1992 20.7 (24.2) 23.1 (21.2) 19.1 (25.8) 9.9 (16.9) 10.5 (18.3) 16.5 (23.9) 11.7 (19.5) 18.3 (23.0) 11.1 (18.6) 12.3 (20.5) 8.2 (16.2) 8.5 (10.5) ns LF 1993 2.0 (6.4) 4.0 (8.8) 6.0 (13.9) 8.0 (15.9) 10.0 (18.3) 10.0 (17.5) 2.0 (6.4) 0.0 (1.3) 6.0 (10.8) 6.0 (12.4) 8.0 (13.9) 4.0 (8.8) ns Pooled mean 11.3 (15.3) 13.5 (15.0) 12.5 (19.8) 8.9 (16.4) 10.2 (18.3) 13.2 (20.7) 6.8 (12.9) 7.6 (12.1) 8.5 (14.7) 10.1 (16.4) 7.1 (15.0) 6.2 (9.6) ns 1992 2.4 def 4.6 ab 2.6 de 2.6 de 2.6 de 1.6 ef 5.0 a 3.8 c 4.6 ab 2.6 de 3.4 cd 5.0 a 1.0 Yield (t/ha) 1993 4.0 bcd 4.6 ab 3.9 cde 3.8 def 3.9 cdef 3.7 defg 4.7 a 4.7 a 4.0 bcd 4.5 abc 3.4 defg 3.8 de 0.6 Pooled mean 3.2 4.6 3.2 3.2 3.2 2.6 4.8 4.2 4.3 3.5 3.4 4.4 ns

OR709-11 (IET11001) P622-629 (IET11009) P586-6-10 (IET11006) OR698-22 (IET11000) RP233-310 (IET11494) RP2327-318 (IET11765) CR712-3-38 OR378-1 Lalat Sarasa Sarathi Srabani CDb (P = 0.05)

IR36/Suph/lR3880// CR222/Parijat Pusa456/P502 P150/IR20 OR165-24-12/Sarathi Ratna/ARC10659 Ratna/ARC5981 TN1/Mahiabankoi IR2070-414/Mahsuri Obs.677/IR2071// Rp6-13/W1268 CR94-1512/Ratna T90/IR8//W1263 Mahsuri/lR30

120 130 120 120 120 125 135 120 125 125 120 130

c-e bcd bcde bcde bcd a bc de b bcde b bcde

aFigures in parentheses are angular transformed values. In a column, means followed by a common letter are not significantly different at the 5% level by DMRT. b CD = critical difference. cns = not significant by F-test.

(IET11009) yielded well despite high LF damage in 1992, and cultivars CR712-338 and P622-629 had high yields in 1993 despite high levels of CW damage (see table). This suggests that these cultivars may be resistant to damage by defoliating insects.

Pest resistance other insects

Rice genotype reaction to rice root nematode (Hirschmanniella) in Rampur, Nepal
R. R. Pokharel, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Central Campus, Rampur, Nepal

High densities of mixed populations of Hirschmanniella oryza and H. mucronata are commonly found in heavy and frequently irrigated soils in lowland rice areas in the Terai region of Nepal.

We evaluated 33 rice genotypes to study their reactions to these nematodes. Screening was done at TAAS in lightly flooded soils with natural infestations of H. oryzae and H. mucronata. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design and 5- 3-m plots with three replicates during the 1992 ricegrowing season. Recommended cultural practices were followed. The nematode population was assessed at the maximum tillering stage of the rice crop. Four corner hills and one central hill were collected with about 250 cm 3 of soil and mixed to prepare one core sample. From these, 3 g of roots and 200 cm 3 of soil were separated, processed using a blender with modified Baermann trays, and sieved with modified Baermann trays. The results were analyzed using ANOVA and DMRT. None of the varieties were resistant. All had nematode populations inside and outside of the roots (see table). Local variety Ghaiya 2, however, had significantly more nematodes in its roots than the other varieties and was considered to be the most susceptible.

Population densities a (no.) of Hirschmanniella in different varieties at IAAS, Rampur, Nepal. 1992. Variety NR604-1-1-2-4-1 lR79-21 RP1125-604-1-1 BR808-17-24 NR604-1-1-2-4-2 NR806-2-1-1-1 BR203-70-13-2 NR601-1-1-3-1-1-2 NR806-1-9-3 Radha 7 Acheme Masino 84354-C-PN4 NR601-18-1-2-13-1 NR10136-9-6-21 NR605-9-1-1 Bindeshori lR5167-3-50-2-1 NR650-2-3-2-1 Radha lR15672-1-86-1-1 Janaki Masuli Makawanpur Chaite 4 S499-13-28 Pant 4 Sarju 52 SIPI 692033 Radha 9 Chaite 2 Sabitri Sarju 49 Ghaiya 2 Root b 3.3 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.6 4.6 5.0 5.3 5.3 5.3 6.0 6.0 6.3 6.6 6.6 7.3 9.0 10.0 13.0 13.0 13.0 15.0 16.0 18.0 19.0 22.0 27.0 29.0 150.0 a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a b Soilc 4.3 4.0 2.0 4.3 4.0 2.3 3.6 2.6 3.3 4.3 3.6 3.0 3.6 3.6 2.3 4.6 1.6 4.6 4.6 4.6 9.6 5.3 10.0 14.0 4.6 2.6 8.0 5.3 6.3 3.6 10.0 6.0 10.0 a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a

a ln a column, figures followed by the same letter are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT. b Number per c Number per 200 cm 3 of

3 g of root, av of 3 replicates. soil, av of 3 replicates.)

10

IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

Integrated germplasm improvementirrigated

Prabhat, a very earlymaturing rice variety released in Bihar, India
R. Thakur and R. K. Singh, Plant Breeding Department, Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa 848125, Samastipur, Bihar, India; and R. C. Chaudhary, IRRI
Table 1. Yield performance of SBR34-69-1 at different sites in Bihar, India. 1984-93. Year Site Yield (t/ha) SBR34-69-1 1.4 1.8 2.7 5.0 2.5 1.3 1.7 2.6 2.1 2.1 2.7 2.3 3.4 2.5 3.7 2.5 2.6 2.5 4.1 2.4 2.0 3.3 4.0 3.8 1.6 5.0 3.1 Summer 1.6 1.6 2.2 4.0 2.2 1.5 2.5 2.1 1.2 1.2 2.2 1.8 2.7 1.9 2.7 1.2 1.4 1.1 2.2 1.8 1.2 2.5 1.8 2.3 1.1 4.3 2.1 Check
a

LSD (5%)

CV (%)

1984

Very early-maturing rice varieties are needed before and after floods in northern Bihar, in the wet season, and for the irrigated summer crop harvested before the monsoon. These varieties are also suitable for upland conditions when rain is inadequate. We began work in the early 1980s to breed suitable varieties after receiving some materials from IRRI. SBR34-69-1 (IR9201-30-1-3-1-3, derived from IR3033-521-1/IR2061-464-2//IR36) matched the desired duration. It was included in state varietal trials in summer and then in the wet season. It was marginally superior in yield to checks Pusa 2-21 and Pusa 33 across 11 environments in the summer (Table 1), though it matured nearly 2 wk earlier. It yielded significantly more than Sattari or Heera (75-80 d duration) during 1989-93 wet seasons. SBR34-69-1 has droopy lower leaves, making a canopy over the ground that suppresses weed growth (Table 2). SBR34-69-1 has been named Prabhat. It is semidwarf, matures in 85 d in wet season, and is resistant to bacterial blight. Its grains are long-bold.
Table 2. Weed-suppressing ability of SBR34-691 in variety weed interaction trial at Sabour, India. 1994. Culture SBR34-69-1 SBR36-70-1 ES29-3-3 ES21-2-3 ES28-3-1 ES1-1-2 CV (%) LSD (5%) Weed dry weight (g/m2) Set I (July) Set II (August) 4.6 9.5 13.9 13.2 12.2 12.1 20.1 4.7 8.7 32.0 21.2 18.5 19.2 15.7 17.0 3.3

Patna Pusa Sabour 1988 Patna Pusa 1989 Patna Pusa Sabour 1990 Sabour Sabour 1991 1992 Sabour Pooled mean Pusa Sabour Dhangain 1990 Pusa Sabour 1991 Pusa Dhangain Pusa 1992 Sabour Dhangain 1993 Pusa Patna Sabour Bikramganj Pooled mean
a

0.09 0.61 0.50 0.71 0.43 0.96 0.58 1.18 0.60 0.63 0.60

13.0 19.5 15.7 17.5 19.2 20.0 12.1 26.4 14.2 14.6 14.5

Wet season 1989 0.88 0.43 0.72 0.88 1.04 0.24 0.78 0.42 1.08 0.56 0.61 nsb 0.85 1.39 21.9 11.7 7.2 12.9 19.7 13.1 15.4 10.4 11.1 12.6 15.5 16.8 17.1

0.9 0.6 2.3 0.5 0.5 1.7 1.7

Pusa 2-21 or Pusa 33 for summer. Sattari (1st column) or Heera (2nd column) for wet season. b ns = not significant.

Zhefu No. 7, a mutant indica rice variety of short duration for central and eastern China
Shu Qingyao and Xia Yingwu, lnstitute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang Agricultural University, Hangzhou 310029, China

Short-duration varieties are preferred for use in the early season (Apr-Jul) in the double-cropped area of central and eastern China. From 1986 to 1991, about 1.2-1.3 million ha of this area were planted each year to the leading shortduration variety, Zhefu 802. Zhefu No. 7 was released in July 1994 as an alternative to Zhefu 802. Both have similar

yield potential and growth duration, but Zhefu No. 7 has superior grain quality and blast resistance. Zhefu No. 7 was bred by mutation induction in which seeds of medium-duration variety Erjiufong were exposed to a 30,000 rad dose of 60 Co gamma rays. Erjiufong, once a popular variety, was highly susceptible to cold and low K content in the soil, which restricted its cultivation. Zhefu No. 7, however, has a 4-5 d shorter growth duration and superior tolerance for cold and low K compared with Erjiufong, making it more adaptive to double-cropped areas. Some differences in morphoagronomic characters exist between Zhefu No. 7 and Erjiufong (Table 1).

Table 1. Yield and morphoagronomic characters of Zhefu No. 7 and its parent Erjiufong at Yuhang, Zhejiang Province, China. 1990. Variety Zhefu No. 7 Erjiufong Yield (t/ha) 5.7 5.6 Plant height (cm) 77.0 80.8 Panicle length (cm) 19.5 20.2 Grains/ panicle (no.) 93.7 103.6 Spikelet fertility (%) 88.5 88.0 1,000grain weight (g) 22.3 22.2

IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

11

The average yield of Zhefu No. 7 was 6.1 t/ha in most areas, and 7 t/ha in a few areas. No significant difference in yield

was detected between Erjiufong and Zhefu No. 7 (Table 2).

Shanyou Wan 3, a mediummaturing, indica hybrid rice

He Shunwu, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, Changsha 410125, Hunan, China

Table 2. Yield performancea of Zhefu No. 7 and check Erjiufong in regional tests in Zhejiang Province, China. 1990. Site Hangzhou Fuyang Shaoxin Ningbo Linhai
a

Locations (no.) 13 7 4 22 10

Zhefu No. 7 yield (t/ha) 5.97 5.39 7.01 6.56 5.37 0.49 0.40 0.27 0.61 0.40

Erjiufong yield (t/ha) 6.24 5.28 6.78 6.34 5.17 0.49 0.36 0.25 0.59 0.34

Increase over check (%) 4.4 +2.0 +3.3 +3.5 +3.8

No significant difference was detected at 0.05 level between Zhefu No. 7 and Erjiufong in any of the regional tests.

PNR162 (Renu), an early rice variety with superfine grain and multiple resistances
S. N. Chakrabarti, Genetics Division, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhl 110012, India

After several years in coordinated trials, PNR162 was recommended for release for West Bengal and Orissa states in India during the National Rice Workshop in 1989. The Government of Uttar

Pradesh released it for irrigated areas in Sep 1993. Its potential yield is 8 t/ha in northwestern India and about 9 t/ha in summer (boro) season in West Bengal (Table 1). The variety has superfine grain, multiple resistances to pests, and other desirable characters (Table 2). It has become popular in many other parts of India because it can fit into various crop rotations. Its moderate cold tolerance makes it suitable in the high altitude

Table 1. Average grain yield (t/ha) of PNR162 in various trials. 1986-92. Site Zone 3a Zone 4a Zone 6a Keralab Tamil Nadu b Punjab b Haryana b Jammu and Kashmir a Tripuraa Uttar Pradeshc
a

PNR162 3.5 3.9 4.8 3.3 5.6 4.9 7.9 5.3 4.5 5.0
b

IR36 2.9 3.6 4.3 2.1 5.2 4.2 7.3 2.7 3.6 -

Ratna 3.0 4.4 4.7 7.1 -

Pant 4 5.1

Saraju 52 4.4

Coordinated trials. 1987 wet season.

Coordinated trials, 1986 wet season. cStation trials, 1991-92.

Table 2. Quality characters of PNR162.

Character Kernel length (mm) Kernel breadth (mm) Length-breadth ratio Hulling (%) Milling (%) Head rice recovery (%) Alkali value Abdominal white

PNR162 Ratna (check) 7.0 2.0 3.5 79.0 72.6 56.0 4.0 Absent 6.6 2.1 3.2 75.0 69.5 55.0 6.0 Absent

plains of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and parts of Jammu and Kashmir. In coordinated, state, and on-farm trials, the variety outperformed national and local checks (Table 1). Its nonshattering trait provides an advantage over Ratna, a popular variety of similar duration. PNRl62 was developed from the cross Jaya Mutant (gamma radiation induced)/Basmati 370 through selection in two diverse environments.

Minghui 63, an elite late-maturing rice restorer line, was used as the female parent in a cross with early-maturing rice restorer line 26 Zhaizao in 1984 autumn. The hybrid was planted that winter in Hainan, China. We treated the seeds harvested from the F 1 plants in 1985 with 60 CO gamma ray (D = 177 R/min, D = 2.2 10 4 rad), planted the seeds, and conducted pedigree selection. In 1989, an early-maturing mutant plant was chosen and testcrossed with Zhenshan 97 A, with the testcross F1 hybrid performing very well. This hybrid, named Shanyou Wan 3, was tested in 1990. Its restorer line was named Wan 3. The Crop Variety Release Committee of Hunan Province, China, approved Shanyou Wan 3 for commercial production in Jan 1994. In 1990, Shanyou Wan 3 was tested in a multilocation trial and yielded an average 7.5 t/ha, 13.0% more than check hybrid Weiyou 64, and 10.3% more than check hybrid Shanyou Gui 33 (both significant at 1% level). It matured 5 d earlier than Shanyou Gui 33 and 4 d later than Weiyou 64. The average grain yield of Shanyou Gui 33 was 7.8 t/ha, 14.9% more than that of check Weiyou 64 in the 1991 Loudi Prefectural Rice Variety Regional Trial, Hunan Province (4 hybrids over 5 locations) (see table). In the 1991 All-China Indica Hybrid Rice Regional Trial, it ranked first in grain yield, with an average of 6.6 t/ha, and matured in 119 d. Compared with the check Shanyou Gui 33, its maturity duration, grain yield, and daily grain yield were 3.7 d longer, and 2.7% and 6.1% more, respectively. In 1992, Shanyou Wan 3 was cultivated for demonstration on 1,333 ha in several provinces and showed high-yielding ability. In 1993, it was planted on 44,667 ha. Shanyou Wan 3 is 95-105 cm tall. It has stiff straw, good lodging tolerance, and adaptability to heavy fertilization. The panicles are 22-24 cm long with 120130 spikelets per panicle. The seed setting rate is 80-85% and the 1,000-grain

12

IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

Performance of Shanyou Wan 3. Loudi, Hunan Province, China. 1991. Variety Shanyou Wan 3 Weiyou 64 (check)
a

Plant height (cm) 102.0 86.3

Panicle length (cm) 23.8 21.9

Spikelets/ panicle (no.) 125.2 98.8

Seed set (%) 71.4 72.3

1,000grain weight (g) 28.7 29.8

Maturity duration (d) 116.2 109.2

Grain yield (t/ha) 7.76**a 6.75

Grain yield over check (%) 14.85 -

Daily grain yield (kg/ha) 66.75 61.8

Daily grain yield over check (%) 8.01 -

** = significant at 1% level by Duncans SSR test.

weight is about 28 g. It matures in 115120 d, about 7-8 d earlier than Weiyou 64, and is grown as a late-cropped rice in various areas. Shanyou Wan 3 has strong resistance to blast and sheath blight. It is tolerant of high temperatures in the early growth stages and of coldness in the late stages. Its milling recovery rate is about 75%, and its eating quality is acceptable. The hybrid has wide adaptability, yielding well at elevations from 200 to

1,150 m above sea level and in different soils. Seed production is high. The restorer line, Wan 3, has about a 10-d flowering duration, large panicles, many spikelets per unit area, and heavy pollen load. If the flowering synchronization is good between the parents, more than 3 t of hybrid seed/ha can generally be produced.

For spring seed production of Shanyou Wan 3 in Changsha, Hunan Province, the restorer line is generally seeded in late March. The seeding interval between the CMS line (Zhenshan 97 A) and the restorer line is 5.0-5.3 leaves on the main culm or 20-25 d. For autumn seed production, the restorer line is usually sown in mid-June, with an 11-13 d seeding interval for the CMS line.

Promising rice blast-resistant cultivars

M. Saifulla, Plant Pathology Department, Agricultural College, University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Gandhi Krishi Vignyana Kendra (GKVK), Bangalore 560065, India; B. M. Devaiah, and N. M. Poomnacha, Agricultural Research Station, Ponnampet 571216, S. Coorg, India; and A. Munjunath, Dry Farming Department, UAS

Rice b1ast is a serious disease in Coorg District of Karnataka, India. Resistance has been breaking down in some of the modern and local rice varieties, such as

Intan, BKB, PUB, Geerigesanna, and IET7191. We intensively screened rice germplasm for reaction to blast. Intan, which is grown on half of the rice area in the hill zone, was introduced in 1972 and lost its resistance to blast in 1983. About 1,000 germplasm lines were screened for blast resistance under field conditions. Among the entries tested, NSN(H) 102-1988 was free from both leaf and neck blast during 1988 and 1992 kharif seasons. It also has desirable grain type, plant height, and duration and was selected for intensive screening with DWR4107 and Intan. These cultivars were screened in a

15-m2 plot during 1990-92 kharif seasons. NSN(H) 102-1988 was free from both leaf and neck blast from 1990 to 1992. Using the Standard evaluation system for rice, cultivar DWR4107 scored a maximum of 5 for both leaf and neck blast, and Intan scored a maximum of 5 for leaf blast and 9 for neck blast over the 5-yr study. NSN(H) 102-1988 was free from both leaf and neck blast disease and performed well in yield trials during 199092 kharif seasons. It had a mean yield of 2.7 t/ha compared with 2.5 t/ha for DWR4107 and 1.9 t/ha for Intan (see table).

Performance of NSN(H) 102-1988 at Ponnampet, S. Coorg, India. 1988-92. Cultivar NSN(H) 102-1988 DWR4107 lntan
a

Leaf blast a (score) 1988 0 3 7 1989 0 9 1990 0 5 1991 0 0 5 1992 0 5 5 1988 0 5 5

Neck blast a (score) 1989 0 1990 0 5 1991 0 0 9 1992 0 5 9 1990 2.6 2.2 1.6

Yield (t/ha) 1991 4.0 4.3 3.3 1992 1.9 0.8 0.8 Mean 2.7 2.5 1.9

Scored using the Standard evaluation system for rice.

Integrated germplasm improvementrainfed lowland

Luit, a short-duration rice variety for Assam, India
T. Ahmed and A. K. Pathak, Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Titabar 785630, India

Floods may occur anytime from May to early September in Assam, India. Farmers need a short-duration rice variety that yields well and can be harvested before (Feb-May) and after (mid-Sep to early Dec) the floodwaters. Rice farmers in the flood-affected areas until recently grew early-maturing varietiesCulture 1,

Heera, and traditional typesthat are low-yielding, have undesirable plant type, and are affected by low temperature at flowering when grown after the flood. A hybridization program was initiated in 1988 to develop short-duration photoperiod-insensitive rice varieties with high yield. Luit (IET13622) was
IRRN 20:2 (June 1995) 13

developed by crossing Heera and Annada. Luit has a growth duration of 95-100 d and may be grown both before and after the flood, either under wet direct seeding or transplanting. Luit is a semidwarf (91 cm), photoperiod-insensitive variety with well-exserted panicles. Grains are awnless and bold. The variety has a 1,000-grain weight of 26.1 g. Kernels are white, with nonglutinous endosperm and a trace of abdominal white. The milling recovery is 64.5%. Luit is moderately resistant to leaf blast and gall midge. When transplanted during 1993 kharif (dry) season, Luit significantly outyielded check Heera in all four locations and significantly outyielded check Aditya in three of the four locations tested under the All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project (AICRIP) (Table 1). Under wet seeding, Luit significantly outyielded Heera in nine out of 12 locations and Aditya in three out of 12 locations. Luit yielded a mean 5.0 t/ha under transplanting and 2.4 t/ha under wet seeding, ranking first and second in AICRIP trials, respectively. The mean duration of Luit to 50% flowering was 80 d when transplanted and 71 d when wet seeded, which were 16-18 d more than Heera and 6-9 d more than Aditya (Table 1 ). The variety significantly outyielded Culture 1 (Table 2) in various locations in Assam under both conditions. The mean flowering duration under preflood situation was 69 d for both varieties. Under postflood situation, Luit took 11 d longer than Culture 1 to attain 50% flowering.

Table 1. Yield performance of Luit under transplanting and wet seeding at various locations in the All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project. 1993 kharif. Location Date sown Date transplanted Yield (t/ha) Luit 4.1 6.0 6.2 3.9 5.0 80 6.0 1.7 1.3 3.9 1.7 4.3 1.9 3.3 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.0 2.4 71 Heera 3.5 2.7 2.3 0.4 2.2 64 2.7 1.1 0.5 2.9 2.5 3.1 1.0 1.8 0.6 0.5 1.3 1.4 1.6 53 Aditya 3.9 3.5 4.2 1.1 3.2 74 3.0 1.9 1.5 3.4 1.3 3.2 1.7 3.0 1.2 0.4 2.1 2.7 2.1 62 LSD (0.05)

Transplanted Coimbatore 9 Jun Trichy 9 Jun DRR, Hyderabad 2 Jul Nawagaon 28 Jul Mean Mean days to 50% flowering Wet seeded Mugad 22 Jun Bankura 28 Jun Hatwara 22 Jul Karimganj 4 Sep Titabar 15 Sep Jabbalpur 10 Jul Rewa 17 Jul Jadavpur 12 Jun Ranchi 28 Jun Raizabad 6 Jul Banswara 1 Jul IARl (New Delhi) 22 Jun Mean Mean days to 50% flowering

93 53 93 93

9 Jul 93 9 Jul 93 2 Aug 93 26 Aug 93

0.3 2.1 1.0 0.7

93 93 93 93 93 93 93 93 93 93 93 93

1.5 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.4 1.0 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.9

Table 2. Grain yield of Luit at various locations in Assam, India. 1991-93. Location Date sown Date transplanted Yield (t/ha) Luit Culture 1 2.8 2.5 1.5 2.3 2.8 2.4 2.3 2.9 2.7 2.6 Days to 50% flowering Luit Culture 1 65 78 65 69 60 52 50 (Heera) 51 60 55 LSD (0.05)

Preflood Titabar Gerua Mahakal Mean Postflood Titabar Titabar Gerua Karimganj Karimganj Mean

25 Feb 91 14 Mar 92 27 Mar 92 20 9 16 4 26 Aug Sep Aug Sep Aug 91 91 92 93 93

20 Apr 92 7 Sep91 1 Sep92 14 Sep 93 -

4.5 3.0 3.3 3.6 4.6 3.5 3.2 3.9 3.3 3.7

68 80 58 69 70 62 69 58 73 66

0.5 0.4 0.7

0.7 0.9 0.6 0.6 0.5

Integrated germplasm improvementupland

Centro lnternacional de Agricultura Tropical's (CIAT's) upland rice germplasm development strategy
E. P. Gulmares, M. Chatel, Y. Ospina, and J. Borrero, Centro lnternacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT) Rice Program, Apartado Areo 6713, Call, Colombia

CIAT began breeding upland rice for acid-soil savannas in 1984. The pro-

grams main objective is to develop germplasm with a) tolerance for soil acidity, b) resistance to diseases (mainly leaf and panicle blast), c) resistance to insects (mainly Tagosodes oryziculus ), d) good grain quality (translucent, long and slender), and e) earliness (growth duration less than 115 d). The methodology used is shown in the figure. Germplasm is exchanged yearly with the West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA) and Centre de

Coopration Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Dveloppement (CIRAD-CA) in Africa, IRRI in Asia, and national agricultural research systems (NARS) in Latin America. North American materials were used in the early days as sources of grain quality. These introduced lines are planted under acid soil conditions. The best lines are selected and organized in a potential parents nursery, which also has many

14

IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

other materials (F4, F5, F6, or advanced lines) identified as good sources for crossing. This set of material is evaluated for soil acidity in a special acidic and nonacidic strip trial. At this stage, the lines are fully characterized for the most important agronomic uaits. The program has recently been testing all potential parents against the blast lineages identified in Colombia, analyzing them for genetic diversity at the molccular level through polymerase chain reaction technique. and screening them for aluminum tolerance. These results are analyzed to determine which parents will be used and which crosses are to be made, normally a three-way combination. F2 and F4 generations are raised on acid soils in the savanna. Selection is

based on the priority traits. with lines and plants being the selection units (pedigree method). The F3 and F5 generations are advanced at an off-season site by planting the lines under irrigated conditions and selecting only for highly heritable traits. The selected lines are then bulked. This site is also used to multiply seeds. Advanced lines are distributed to NARS through the International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice in Latin America (INGER-LAC) Observational Nursery (VIOAL), along with other lines developed by NARS in the region. To acscss the lines' yield potential, the program collaborates with the local NARSCorporacin Colombiana de Investigacin Agropecuaria (CORPOICA)by running some of the

preliminary yield trials in two or three locations within different cropping systems, such as rice monocrop, rice pasture, and soybean - rice. This approach has allowed NARS to release varieties in Colombia (Oryzica Sabana 6,1991 and Oryzica Turipana 7. 1992), Bolivia (Sacia-1, 1993), and Brazil (Progresso, 1994). Oryzica Sabana 6 has been used in developing a sustainable agropastoral system for the acid-soil savannas in Colombia. Progresso, released for upland ecosystems in Brazil, has yielded 4-5 t/ha under farmers' conditions and has good quality. Oryzica Turipana 7 is the first improved variety released for the north coast region in Colombia. It yields 1.0 t/ha more than the local checks, allowing farmers to produce rice not only for subsistence but also for marketing. Population improvement through recurrent selection was incorporated recently into the breeding strategy. The objective is to improve populations for specific traits, such as blast resistance, tolerance for soil acidity, and earliness. These populations are used as sources of improved segregating material for the conventional germplasm flow (see figure).
IRRN REMINDER

Routine research. Riports of screening trials of varieties, fertilizer, cropping methods, and other routine observations using standard methodologies to establish local recommendations are not ordinarily accepted. Examples are singleseason, singletrial field experiments. Field trials should be repeated across more than one season, or in more than one location as appropriate. All experiments should include replications and an internationally known check or control treatment.

These lines are exchanged with WARDA, CIRAD-CA, IRRI, and Centro Nacional de Pesquisa-Arroz, Feijao/Emrepsa Brasileira & Pesquisa Agropecuaria

Flow chart of ClAT's upland rice gemplasm development strategy.

IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

15

Crop and resource management

Physiology and plant nutrition
Effects of nitrogen and potassium nutrition during late growth stage of rice on translocation of 14C and grain yield
Yong-Rui Wang and Ying-Jie Zhang, Biology Department, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Table 1. Effect of N and K nutrition at late growth stage on the percentage of 14 C exported from the flag leaf (1), translocated to the panicle (2), and 14 C accumulation percentage [(1x2)/100] (3) at milky stage of two rice hybrids. Treatment No fertilizer Basal fertilizer Basal fertilizer + N and K topdressing before panicle exsertion Basal fertilizer + N and K topdressing after panicle exsertion W6154s/DFo 1 50.38 73.82 88.38 78.88 2 44.88 70.83 81.70 71.60 3 22.61 52.29 72.21 56.48 1 57.62 62.43 87.85 77.59 W6154s/Tie-San-Ai 2 42.43 54.63 78.80 84.20 3 24.45 34.11 69.23 65.33

The effect of late N and K application on the translocation of 14C from the flag leaf and on grain yield was studied. Four seedlings each of the hybrids W6154s/ DFo and W6154s/Tie-San-Ai (F 1) were transplanted into 15-liter pots. Fertilizer treatments were no fertilizer control, basal fertilizer only, basal fertilizer + topdressed N (urea) and K (K 2SO4) at 5-7 d before panicle exsertion, and basal fertilizer + topdressed N (urea) and K (K2SO4) at 5-7 d after panicle exsertion. Basal fertilizer consisted of 2 g each of urea, calcium superphosphate, and potassium sulfate/pot. 14C-glucose (40-60 ci/ml) was sprayed at 0.05 ml/flag leaf for selected tillers at the milky stage. Two days later, plants were sampled and separated into panicles, flag leaves, rest of green leaves, and culms. The radioactivity of each part was measured using a scintillation counter and expressed as count per minute (CPM). The percentage of 14C exported from the flag leaf was calculated as:
Total CPM of plant CPM in the flag leaf 100 Total CPM of plant The percentage of 14C translocated to the panicle was calculated as: CPM of panicle Total CPM of plant CPM of flag leaf 100

Table 2. Effect of N and K nutrition at late growth stage on yield components and grain yield of two hybrids. Treatment Filled spikelets/panicle (no.) W6154s/DFo 102.5 110.3 119.7 120.9 W6154s/Tie-San-Ai 108.7 123.7 130.9 137.1 Filled spikelets (%) 88.5 93.5 98.4 97.0 65.8 78.7 83.1 83.4 1,000-grain weight (g) 22.60 22.50 24.40 24.30 24.50 24.00 25.30 25.80 Grain yield (g/hill) 8.85 11.72 15.80 14.70 8.31 12.62 14.69 15.49 0.48 0.77 0.92 0.69 0.52 0.68 0.88 0.75

No fertilizer Basal fertilizer Basal fertilizer + N and K topdressing before panicle exsertion Basal fertilizer + N and K topdressing after panicle exsertion No fertilizer Basal fertilizer Basal fertilizer + N and K topdressing before exsertion Basal fertilizer + N and K topdressing after exsertion

The 14C accumulation percentage (AP) in the panicle, which reflects higher photosynthetic rate, more translocation of assimilates, larger sink capacity, and a
16 IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

better source-sink relationship, was equal to the ratio of CPM in the panicle to total CPM in the plant multiplied by 100. The percentages of 14C exported from the flag leaf and translocated to the panicle and the AP in the topdressed plants were all higher than those that received no fertilizer or only basal fertilizer (Table 1). Filled spikelets per panicle, filled spikelet percentage, 1,000-grain weight, and grain yield of the two rice hybrids were all greater in the topdressed plants than in the control plants (Table 2). The results indicate that topdressing N and K at around panicle exsertion is a good cultural practice because it enhances translocation of assimilates from the flag leaf to the panicle during ripening.

Fertilizer management inorganic sources

Response of rice to nitrogen and zinc application in a calcareous situation
A K. Singh, S. Thakur, and S. K. Singh, Agronomy Department, Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa Samastipur, Bihar 848125, India

The calcareous soils of northern Bihar, India, are markedly deficient in Zn. We applied N at different levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg/ha) with and without Zn to study the effect on grain and straw yields, N and Zn uptake, chlorophyll content, and net return obtained.

Sujata was grown during 1992 and 1993 wet seasons at Pusa, Bihar, in a silty loam soil with 0.24% organic C, 173.0 kg available N/ha, 22.8 kg available P/ha, and 54.8 kg K/ha. DTPA extractable Zn content was 0.55 ppm and the pH 8.6. Uniform doses of 17.6 kg P/ha and 33.2 kg K/ha were applied at the last puddling. All N doses were applied in three splits: 25% at transplanting, 50% at tillering, and 25% at panicle initiation. Zn SO4 7H2 O was applied at 5.8 kg Zn/ha before transplanting. Rice grain and straw yields increased significantly with more N up to 100 kg/ha (see table). Additional N increased yields marginally. However, when Zn accompanied N, a significant increase in grain yield was observed up to 150 kg/ha. Yields obtained with 150 kg N/ha alone were statistically at par with those at 100

Yield, N, and Zn uptake, and chlorophyll content as affected by different N and Zn treatments (mean of 2 yr), Bihar, India. 1992 and 1993 wet seasons. N level Yield (t/ha) Grain N0 N50 N100 N150 N50+Zn N100+Zn N150+Zn CD (0.05) 1.7 2.5 3.2 3.4 2.7 3.4 3.8 0.3 Straw 3.4 4.5 5.6 6.0 4.9 5.6 5.8 0.6 Total uptake (kg/ha) N 27 43 54 61 46 60 66 7 Zn 56 81 113 134 120 164 191 10

Total chlorophyll content

ppm = mg chlorophyll g dry weight

Net return ($/ha)

0.600 0.621 0.818 0.957 0.700 0.937 1.154 -

10.23 85.65 147.40 161.20 90.15 158.70 184.30 13.80

kg N/ha with Zn. The addition of Zn at all four N levels increased Zn uptake and chlorophyll content significantly over the corresponding N levels without Zn. N levels with and without Zn differed significantly with regard to net return (see table). The net return increased significantly up to 150 kg N/ha with and

without Zn. At 150 kg N/ha, the addition of Zn generated a significantly higher net return than did 150 kg N/ha alone. These differences were not significant at the other N levels. To get higher yields and monetary returns, Zn should accompany N rather than applying only higher N doses.

Managing nitrogen fertilizer for deepwater rice

R. K. Dutta, J. K. Dey, and I. R. Bhattacharjee, Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Assam Agricultural University, North Lakhimpur 787001, Assam, India

Effect of N fertilizer management on deepwater rice. Assam, India. 1991-93. Treatment P and K only Prilled urea (1/2 as basal + 1/2 at tillering) Prilled urea (full dose as basal) Neem-coated urea (full dose as basal) Neem-coated urea (1/2 as basal + 1/2 at tillering) Prilled urea (full dose, deeply placed) Urea supergranules (full dose as basal) Prilled urea (4% N spray at tillering) Prilled urea (4% N spray at tillering and panicle initiation) CV CD (0.05) Grain yield (t/ha) 1991 2.0 2.7 2.7 3.5 4.0 2.2 3.0 3.1 3.2 7.3 0.4 1992 1.2 2.6 2.4 3.4 3.8 2.5 2.9 2.8 3.2 5.9 0.3 1993 1.6 2.7 2.2 3.2 3.3 2.2 2.7 2.8 3.1 6.2 0.2 Mean 1.9 2.7 2.4 3.3 3.7 2.3 2.9 2.9 3.2 8.1 0.3

Deepwater rice (DWR) responds positively to N application. Few studies, however, have focused on how to make N application more profitable and productive for farmers. We studied ways to improve the efficiency of N fertilizer through management and use of slowrelease fertilizers in DWR. The soil had a textural composition of 35.1% sand, 31.8% silt, and 33.1 % clay, bulk density of 1.23, pH 4.8, 2.1% organic C, 4.8 kg P (Brays P)/ha, 126.50 kg K/ha, free Fe2O3 0.76%, and CEC 9.7 meq/100 g. Seeds of LPR96-100, derived from Pankaj/Jagannath/Megheribao, were sown on 25 Mar 1991-93 at 75 kg/ha in rows spaced at 25 cm. The experiment was laid out using a randomized block design in 36-m2 plots. Fertilizers were applied at 30 kg N/ha, 13.2 kg P/ha, and 24.9 kg K/ha; P and K were applied as

basal doses and N in various forms and at different times (see table). The crop was harvested in mid-December. More than 2,200 mm of rain fell during the growing seasons. Inundation started in June and water level fluctuated between 0.5 and 1 m up to late August, with occasional rises above 1 m during flash floods. Water thereafter receded to less than 0.5 m in September. No water was left in November. Precautions were taken to keep precise fertilizer treatments during inundation.

Applying neem-coated urea in equal splits (basal and at tillering) recorded the highest grain yield (3.7 t/ha), followed by basally applied neem-coated urea (3.3 t/ ha). Foliar application of urea as a 4% spray either once (2.9 t/ha) or twice (3.2 t/ha) recorded higher grain yields than did a soil application of urea as a single basal dose (2.4 t/ha) or in splits (2.7 t/ha). Foliar application of prilled urea was as efficient as basally applying urea supergranules.

IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

17

Crop management Crop management

Effect of planting time, lopping, and N fertilization on growth and yield of traditional rice variety C14-8 in the Andaman Islands, India
S. Singh, Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair 744101, India

Despite several high-yielding rice varieties being introduced in the Andaman Islands of India, local rice

variety C14-8 occupies more than half of the rice area. The variety is tall, highly photoperiod-sensitive, and has a very long maturity period. Farmers lop the foliage once or twice during the vegetative phase to prevent the crop from lodging. Leaves are used as green fodder. We studied how planting time. lopping, and N fertilization affect the growth and yield of C14-8. Thirty-day-old seedlings of C14-8 were transplanted in prefertilized (NPK)

cement pots (30 30 30 cm) during the first weeks of Aug, Sep, and Oct 1992 and third weeks of Jun, Jul, Aug, and Sep 1993. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with five replications. Plants in a set from each planting date (except the last one) were lopped 50 d after transplanting. Half of the lopped plants were fertilized with N at 5 g urea/pot and the other half were left unfertilized. Another set from each planting date received no treatments.

Effect of planting time, lopping, and N fertilization on growth, yield, and yield attributes of local rice cultivar C14-8. Andaman Islands, India. 1992-93 wet seasons. Date of planting vs lopping Plant height (cm) Panicles/ pot (no.) Grains/ 1,000panicle grain (no.) weight (g) Spikelet Economic sterility yield (%) (g/pot) Biological yield (g/pot) Harvest index (%) Leaf Leaf area/ area/ plant tiller (dm2) (cm2) Dry wt/ N N tiller uptake harvest (g) (g/pot) index (%) N use Days efficiency to flowering (g/g N)

Planting in 1st Normal Lopping without N Lopping with N Planting in 1st Normal Lopping without N Lopping with N

wk Aug 180 174 178 wk Sep 165 157 160

1992 wet season 41 23 34 41 37 38 43 7 119 101 115 134 78 116 122 18 24.6 25.6 25.2 26.3 26.2 26.0 25.8 N5 25.0 25.0 23.0 13.5 19.3 12.0 7.5 5.8 112.0 72.1 92.7 131.3 73.2 120.2 132.7 26.4 417.5 195.4 335.1 398.8 236.0 344.7 331.0 57.1 1993 wet season 45 26 32 36 32 30 41 26 37 51 6 120 118 106 131 103 121 147 100 86 113 28 26.5 27.0 27.8 26.4 27.8 26.0 27.5 28.2 27.1 26.8 1.7 28.3 21.0 17.4 19.3 19.3 16.0 14.8 15.2 19.0 13.4 8.2 136.1 84.4 89.2 118.4 84.8 94.2 164.5 70.5 92.0 151.7 26.5 615.0 254.6 297.6 400.0 254.6 268.2 543.0 207.5 255.0 439.6 86.7 22.2 33.3 30.1 29.6 33.4 35.0 30.0 34.0 36.0 34.5 4.5 123 82 88 61 38 52 58 30 55 102 20 243 234 251 149 154 163 149 125 177 257 27 13.6 9.8 9.3 11.1 8.0 8.9 13.4 8.0 7.0 8.6 2.8 3.86 1.50 1.95 2.50 1.50 1.81 3.27 1.24 1.84 3.17 0.85 47 62 63 62 67 77 63 60 71 65 6 35.2 56.2 45.7 47.5 67.0 52.0 50.1 56.4 50.0 47.8 4.5 180 180 180 160 160 160 140 140 140 132 7 26.8 37.5 28.0 33.1 31.4 34.8 40.8 4.8 108 50 87 73 59 72 64 16 253 208 251 192 172 189 185 21 10.2 8.4 9.8 9.7 6.4 9.1 7.9 1.6 3.32 1.70 2.97 3.16 1.62 2.68 3.00 0.52 44 54 39 49 49 44 60 4 33.7 42.4 31.2 41.5 45.2 44.8 44.5 3.5 145 145 145 140 140 140 135 3

Planting in 1st wk Oct Normal 152 LSD at 5% 3 Planting in 3rd Normal Lopping without N Lopping with N Planting in 3rd Normal Lopping without N Lopping with N wk Jun 177 157 165 wk Jul 164 147 150

Planting in 3rd wk Aug Normal 174 Lopping without N 141 Lopping with N 151 Planting in 3rd wk Sep Normal 166 LSD at 5% 10

18

IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

Most of the growth and yield characters were recorded at maturity, except for leaf area character, which was recorded at flowering stage. Delayed planting caused significant reduction in growth parameters (plant stature, biological yield, leaf area/plant, leaf area/tiller, dry weight/tiller, and N uptake) but improved grain yield/pot because of the large increase in grains/ panicle and panicles/pot, greater reduc-

tion in spikelet sterility, and greater harvest index, partitioning of N, and N use efficiency (see table). Lopping the foliage during the vegetative phase (50 d after planting), however, depleted both growth and yield characters (stature, biological yield, leaf area/plant, leaf area/tiller, panicles/pot, and grains/panicle). Fertilization following lopping, however, markedly improved almost all growth and yield

characters associated with productivity, resulting in higher grain yield/pot than lopping without applying N. Time to maturity was reduced drastically by delaying planting until August. Grain yield could be improved substantially by transplanting C14-8 in the last week of August or the first week of September. Cutting leaves followed by 20-30 kg N/ha in early planted crops improved the productivity of C14-8.

Integrated pest managementinsects

Relationship between farmers early- and late-season insecticide sprays
K. L. Heong and A. A. Lazaro, IRRI

One of the objectives of farmers in using insecticides is to avoid yield losses due to insect pests. Thus, the number and timing of these sprays reflect farmers perceptions of the expected impact of insecticides on production. We used farmer survey data sets from Leyte and San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, and the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, to analyze the relationship between farmers earlyseason sprays and their late-season sprays. Interview surveys using the same questionnaire were carried out in Leyte in 1990, the Mekong Delta in 1992, and San Jose in 1994. Farmers were asked to recall the timing of insecticide sprays used in the previous season. We categorized sprays applied in the first 40 d after crop establishment as early sprays and those applied later than 40 d as late

sprays. The survey data were tabulated into a 2 2 contingency table using these two variables (Table 1). Each cell contained the frequency of occurrence of the respective attributes. We used the Pearson 2 test for independence to determine the association between spray early and spray late. The null hypotheses was that the two variables, spray early and spray late, are independent. The expected frequencies for each cell from each survey site were determined by calculating the frequencies expected if no association between the two variables existed. The larger the discrepancy between these expected values and the observed values, the larger the degree of association and thus the higher the value of Pearson 2 (Table 2). We used Pearson 2 values adjusted for a 2 2 contingency table to test for significance. The values were significant in all three surveys. Thus, we rejected the null hypothesis in all cases and concluded that early sprays are closely associated with late sprays.

Table 2. Tests of independence between earlyand late-season insecticide use and probabilities of farmers' spray patterns at 3 sites in the Philippines and Vietnam. Statistics n df P Spray pattern Early and late Early only Late only No sprays Leyte 300 1 62.2 <0.01 Leyte 0.71 0.08 0.09 0.11 San Jose 285 1 36.7 <0.01 San Jose 0.75 0.17 0.02 0.06 Mekong Delta 685 1 4.2 0.04 Mekong Delta 0.61 0.21 0.12 0.06

Table 1. Frequency of early- and late-season insecticide sprays by rice farmers in Leyte and San Jose, Philippines, and the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Location Spray early Leyte San Jose Mekong Delta Leyte San Jose Mekong Delta Leyte San Jose Mekong Delta Farmers (no.) Spray late 213 215 415 28 5 84 241 220 499 Do not spray late 24 49 142 35 16 44 59 65 186 Total 237 264 557 63 21 128 300 285 685

Do not spray early Total

We obtained the predicted probabilities of occurrence in each case of the contingency table for the three sites. At all sites, the probability of a farmer spraying both early and late was much higher than the probabilities of the other cases occurring (Table 2), meaning farmers who tended to spray insecticides early tended to spray late as well. While the analysis may indicate significant association between early and late sprays, it does not provide any information on cause and effect. Farmers who sprayed both early and late may be risk averse, those who tend to use higher inputs, or those who are economically better off. Research has shown that most early insecticide sprays are unnecessary and may be avoided. Emphasis to reduce early insecticide use may have the added value of reducing late insecticide use as well.

IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

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Analysis of factors influencing farmers insecticide sprays

A. A. Lazaro and K. L. Heong, IRRI

Table 1. Associations between spraying behavior and knowledge of natural enemies and perceptions/ attitudes toward insecticide use of farmers in San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, 1994. Association Early spraying with knowledge of natural enemies pest management training perception of yield loss attitude toward pesticide use Frequent spraying with knowledge of natural enemies pest management training perception of yield loss attitude toward pesticide use n 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 df 285 285 285 285 285 285 285 285 2.37 3.01 0.15 26.22 0.08 0.31 4.04 16.36 P 0.12 0.08 0.70 <.01 0.78 0.58 0.04 <.01

Farmers overestimation of yield loss due to pests and their perceptions that insecticides are remedies probably account for much of the unnecessary insecticide use in rice. Understanding some of the factors that influence farmers decisions to spray may improve the development of management strategies. We analyzed insecticide spray patterns of 285 rice farmers in San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, in relation to their knowledge of natural enemies, perceptions of yield losses due to pest damage, attitudes toward insecticide use, and whether they have undergone training. Farmers were grouped into those who spray early, spray frequently, and those who do neither. Those who applied insecticides within the first 40 d after crop establishment were classified as early sprayers and the rest as nonearly sprayers. Likewise, farmers who applied insecticides more than four times in one cropping season were classified as frequent sprayers and those who sprayed four times or less as nonfrequent sprayers. Knowledge of beneficial insects was assessed based on farmers awareness of natural enemies and their roles, and farmers perceived effects of insecticides on them. Pest management training was evaluated based on attendance and topics of trainings attended. Attitudes toward insecticide use were grouped into in favor and not in favor based on their responses to statements on insecticide perceptions. Farmers who perceived that insecticides must be applied to the rice crop, increase rice yields, do not cause pest resurgence, and are effective in controlling pests were classified as in favor. Knowledge, perception, attitude, and training variables were tested independently for associations with early and frequent spraying variables using the chisquare test. Associations of knowledge with early and frequent spraying and of training with early and frequent spraying were not
20 IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

Table 2. Probabilities of farmers sprayresponses as affected by yield loss perception and attitude toward insecticide use. San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, 1994. Spray frequently No No Yes Yes Spray early No No Yes Yes Spray frequently No No Yes Yes
a

Yield loss due to leaf damage No Yes No Yes Favor insecticides No Yes No Yes Favor insecticides No Yes No Yes

Responsea frequency 111 57 77 22 Response frequency 18 3 48 216 Response frequency 56 122 10 97

Probability 0.42 0.21 0.29 0.08 Probability 0.06 0.01 0.17 0.76 Probability 0.20 0.43 0.04 0.34

Farmers with no response were excluded from the analysis.

significant (Table 1). This implies that pest management training and knowledge of beneficial insects did not influence farmers spray patterns. However, association tests between knowledge and attitude variables revealed a tendency for farmers without knowledge of natural enemies to favor the use of insecticides ( c2 = 4.03, P = 0.5). This implies that although lack of knowledge of natural enemies does not seem to influence unnecessary spraying, it may still have an indirect effect because farmers who favor insecticide use tend to be the ones who lack this knowledge. Attitudes favoring insecticide use were highly associated with early and frequent spraying. The probabilities that farmers who favored insecticide use would spray early and frequently were

0.76 and 0.34, respectively (Table 2). The perception that yield loss is caused by leaf damage is likewise associated with frequent spraying. Farmers who did not think yield loss was due to leaf damage tended not to spray frequently (P = 0.42). Our analyses showed that attitudes favoring insecticide use seem to be more important than lack of knowledge and training in influencing farmers to spray early as well as frequently. To improve current farmer practices and to reduce pesticide misuse, strategies need to emphasize changing farmers attitudes that favor insecticide use. These might include changing farmers perceptions that insecticides are necessary inputs, increase yields, do not harm rice, and are effective in controlling pests.

Efficiency of a natural biocontrol agent for brown planthopper

R. Jeyaraj, T. Thangaraj, S. Ravisankar, M. Rabeeth, and M. Aruchami, Zoology Department-Research Centre, Kongunadu Arts and Sclence College, Coimbatore 641029, India

Natural enemies play a primary role in the control of the brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens (Stl). We describe here aspects of the behavior of

Laccotrephes griseus (Hemiptera: Nepidae), a BPH predator that has been little studied. Adult L. griseus were collected from freshwater and maintained in the laboratory. Prey-predator interaction was determined on individual rice plants in pots, each covered with a 45- 10-cm cylinder of cellophane paper. Fifth-instar N. lugens nymphs and adults were introduced using an aspirator at densities of 5, 10, or 20 per pot. The experiment was not disturbed for an hour. The

number of prey killed by the predator was then recorded. Five trials were conducted. L. griseus was an active predator during the day and at night. Both male and female predators consumed all prey types offered. In general, the number of prey consumed increased with density (see table). L. griseus is commonly found in freshwater bodies. When present in large numbers, the predator is a potent biocontrol agent.

Number of N. lugens killed by predator L. griseus per hour. Male predator Developmental stage Morphotype Prey sex 5 Nymph Adult Brachypterous Male Female Macropterous Male Female X SD = X SD = X SD = X SD = X SD = 0.20 0.40 0.40 0.49 1.00 0.89 0.40 0.49 0.60 0.49 Day Prey density 10 0.60 0.49 1.00 0.63 1.40 0.49 0.60 0.49 0.80 0.75 20 1.00 0.63 0.80 0.75 2.00 0.00 0.40 0.49 0.80 0.40 5 0.40 0.49 0.20 0.40 0.80 0.75 0.20 0.49 0.40 0.49 Night Prey density 10 0.40 0.80 0.40 0.49 1.20 0.75 0.40 0.40 0.80 0.40 20 0.80 0.40 0.80 0.40 1.80 0.75 0.60 0.40 1.00 0.63 5 0.20 0.40 0.40 0.49 0.40 0.49 0.20 0.40 0.20 0.40 Day Prey density 10 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.49 1.00 0.63 0.20 0.49 0.40 0.49 20 0.60 0.49 0.60 0.80 1.60 0.49 0.40 0.49 0.60 0.49 5 0.00 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.40 0.49 0.00 0.00 0.20 0.40 Female predator Night Prey density 10 0.20 0.40 0.40 0.49 1.00 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.40 0.49 20 0.40 0.49 0.60 0.49 1.40 0.49 0.40 0.49 0.60 0.49

Integrated pest managementother pests

Rice stem nematode Ditylenchus angustus development and survival
R. N. Perry, Entomology and Nematology Department, Integrated Approach to Crop Research-Rothamsted, Harpenden, Hertsfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK

The plant parasitic nematode Ditylenchus angustus is an important pest of both deepwater and lowland rice. A research program, funded by the Levelhulme Trust, has been undertaken to investigate the population dynamics, development, and survival of D. angustus under controlled experimental conditions. Infectivity studies demonstrated that third (J3) and fourth (J4)- stage juveniles and adults were able to infect IR36 rice

seedlings in pot cultures kept under lowland growing conditions. Secondstage juveniles (J2) molt rapidly to J3. It may only be J3, J4, and adults that invade. Quantitative extraction and viability determination of D. angustus eggs are difficult to achieve accurately. However, eggs of D. angustus hatch readily once J2 development is complete, so accurate assessment of population dynamics is more appropriately done at active, hatched stages. Four months after a suspension of D. angustus from a diseased plant was inoculated onto 2-wk-old rice seedlings, the population increased tenfold. No marked variation, however, occurred in the percentage of stages from the original inoculum, with J4 accounting

for 56-64% of the population. Few nematodes were found in the folded leaves of the rice plants. No one specific life cycle stage accumulated as the plant senesced, although J4 always predominated (Fig. 1). With increasing host plant age, the nematodes were found in large numbers at the top of the stems, in the panicles, and frequently accumulated on the seeds. In heavy infestations, nematodes aggregated to form a cotton woollike mass on empty seeds or in partially emerged panicles enclosed by folded leaves. The analysis of stages present in freshly harvested seeds showed that between 49 and 72% of the nematodes extracted were J4. The desiccation survival of J3, J4, and adults was examined at different relative
IRRN 20:2 (June 1995) 21

aVertical bars are the standard error (SE) of the

means. Figures are the means and SE for the total number of nematodes/g wet weight of plant tissue at each of four monthly sampling intervals.

1. Percentage of third-(J3) and fourth-(J4) stage juveniles and adults of D. angustus present at intervals of 1 mo in IR36 plants after inoculation with a suspension of mixed stages (time 0). a

humidities on glass slides, on agar and agarose model substrates, and in infested stems and seeds. J2 were not included because very few survived desiccation, even at high humidity and when protected by plant tissue. Individual nematodes showed no intrinsic ability to control water loss and survive severe desiccation. Nematodes of all three stages were dependent on relative humidity >80% and/or protection by plant tissue for long-term survival. Although J3, J4, and adults showed similar survival attributes with, for example, more than 25% of each stage surviving in a 5-7-cm-long piece of stem for 2 mo at 80 and 97% relative humidity, J4 had consistently superior survival (Fig. 2). The preponderance of J4 in senescing plants together with superior survival attributes make it probable that J4 will be the principal stage that survives drying and subsequently invades new hosts. The survival and water loss studies indicate that D. angustus is dependent on environmental conditions to survive dehydration. Protection within plant tissues and high humidities, resulting in an induced slow drying rate, enhances desiccation survival. D. angustus aggregates in dry stems and especially in infested seeds, a further behavioral response to facilitate survival. In seeds, the nematodes were found mainly between the glumes and the caryopsis. Sterile seeds from heavily infested plants frequently contained masses of coiled, dry D. angustus between the glumes. In one seed, 2,400 nematodes were recorded. Although the empty sterile seeds will probably be lost during threshing, other seeds containing nematodes will remain. However, drying of rice grains to a moisture content of 14% or below before storage will probably be sufficient to eliminate viable D. angustus from seeds.
2. Percentage of third-(J3) and fourth-(J4) stage juveniles and adults of D. angustus present ( ) and the proportion of each stage that survived ( ) in stems of IR36 plants kept for a) 2 mo and b) 4 mo at 40, 60, 80, and 97% relative humidity.

22

IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

Research methodology
An efficient inoculation method for rice blast
D. H. Chen, B. Consignado, and R. J. Nelson, IRRI

Inoculation of pathogen isolates to the host is a fundamental tool for studying genetic aspects of both the pathogen and the host. Various inoculation methods have been developed for plant pathology studies. The spray method has most often been used in studies on rice blast because it is convenient and reproducible results are obtained. This method has limitations, however, because it may kill the plant. In molecular genetic studies, F 2 plants usually must be maintained for DNA extraction and for production of F 3 seeds. To avoid killing susceptible individuals, phenotypic segregation data are often collected by progeny testing, causing a lag in completing the analysis. We report here an efficient blast inoculation method for a F 2 mapping population. To demonstrate this method, two F2 populations developed from a cross of CO 39 with Tetep were used. Two hundred thirty-five seeds were germinated for population 1, and 132 seeds for population 2. Twenty seeds each of CO 39 and Tetep were grown together for inoculation as checks. Seedlings (one per pot) were grown in 5-cm-diam pots in a greenhouse for 21 d before inoculation. Isolate V85094, which was compatible with CO39 but incompatible with Tetep, was selected for this study. Inoculum was prepared from cultures grown on rice polish agar and prune agar. The concentration of the inoculum was adjusted to 1 105 spores/ml in 0.02% Tween 20 solution.

Seedlings were laid down on a bench. The youngest leaf that was at least half expanded was selected for inoculation. A 5-cm portion in the middle of the leaf was marked with a pen, and this portion was pricked in five sites with a pin. To wet the leaf surface, the entire leaf was brushed with water containing 0.02% Tween 20 using a soft artist's brush. The leaf was then wiped with a paper towel until dry. A brush dipped in inoculum was applied to the treated leaf. The inoculated seedlings were transferred to a dew chamber and incubated for 24 h at 26 C, and then kept in a mist room for 6 d before disease evaluation. Disease was evaluated using a 0-4 scale where 0 = no visual lesions, 1 = tiny brown pinpoint lesions, 2 = roundish, brown, nonsporulating lesions. 3 = roundish, small, weakly or nonsporulating lesions with dark margins, 3+ = large sporulating lesions with dark margins, without the typical spindle shape, and 4 = large spindle-shaped sporulating lesions with or without dark margins. Disease reactions with scores of 0-3 were classified as resistant. while those with scores 3+ and 4 were considered susceptible. All of the plants of the susceptible parent CO 39 showed infection, while none of the plants of the resistant parent Tetep showed lesions (see table). Consistent reactions of the wounded and intact leaf segments were observed. The segregation of population 1 was significantly different from 3:1 (resistant to susceptible) at both 1 and 5% levels, with an excess of susceptible reactions. The segregation ratio of population 2 was significantly different from the 3:1 at 5%

but not at 1%. The distorted segregation ratio could be because of the many nongerminated seeds in both populations. Lesions on noninoculated portions of leaves were rarely observed, and no seedlings were killed due to inoculation. After disease evaluation, infected leaf parts were removed, and the seedlings were transplanted into plastic pails for production of F 3 seed. Seedling growth was not affected. Although the method described here seems tedious compared with spray inoculation, two persons finished inoculating two populations in only one afternoon. By using the brushing method of inoculation, we could collect segregation data, extract DNA, and harvest abundant F3 seeds for all plant genotypes in the population in the same growing season.

A computer-aided, alternating current-based feeding monitor for detecting activities of plant sap-sucking rice insects
S. R. Venkitesh, IRRI; P. Fretter and P. G. Markham, Virus Research Department, John lnnes Institute, John lnnes Center for Plant Science Research, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK

Disease reactions of two F 2 populations and their parents to isolate V85094 of P. grisea using brushing inoculation method in a greenhouse.

Total seeds (no.) F2 population 1 F2 population 2 CO 39 Tetep 283 164 20 20

Total seedlings (no.) 235 134 20 20

Disease reaction c Resistant 147 89 0 20 Susceptible 88 45 20 0

2 value for 3:1a

19.417** 5.264*

*, ** = significant difference at 5 and 1% significance level, respectively.

A computer-aided feeding monitor has been developed to study the activities of plant sap-sucking rice insects. The feeding monitor consists of an alternating current (AC) probe for detecting changes in conductivity between the insect and the plant, an analogue-to-digital converter (data translation DT2801 A-D card) fitted to an IBM-compatible personal computer (PC), and logging software to collect the data (BioSoft Oscilloscope) (Fig. 1). The waveform patterns are characterized by their frequency and amplitude characteristics. Software is used to view the logged waveforms, to add even markers (Markplot), to summarize statistically the marked events (Markstat), to calculate the frequency spectra of the waveform, and to store characteristic waveform patterns. Graphical output can be directed to a color graphics metafile
IRRN 20:2 (June 1995) 23

1. Computer-aided, AC-based feeding monitor. A = chart recorder, B = AC-based feeding monitor, C = rice plant with wired insect, and D = computer.

(CGM) for importing into specialized graphics packages, such as Lotus Freelance, or to file in Hewlett Packard (HP) Graphics Language (HPGL) for HP plotters. The current screen may be dumped to an Epson FX80 printer. By selecting a suitable data acquisition rate, the computer can be set to construct waveform patterns similar to a chart recorder. The advantages of using a computer over a traditional chart recorder include simplicity in marking and categorizing the different waveform patterns generated during long recording periods, automated statistical analysis,

convenient storage, recreation and comparison of waveform patterns, and capacity for detailed analysis of very minute feeding events. The computer-aided feeding monitor may be used for a range of insect feeding-related experiments. For example, we studied the feeding behavior of rice green leafhopper (GLH) Nephotettix virescens (Distant) on TN1 and IR62 for 3-h and 6-h periods. Typical waveforms were recorded on the chart recorder as well as on the PC while insects were not feeding, probing, and feeding. Waveforms were correlated with nonfeeding

2. Average time on each feeding-related activity by 20 N. virescens on a susceptible rice variety (TN1) and a resistant rice variety (IR62) for 3 h and by 12 insects for 6 h.

and probing activities by observing the wired insect through a dissection microscope. Waveforms with specific feeding activity, such as phloem feeding and nonphloem feeding (xylem and mesophyll parenchyma), were correlated by the histological examination of salivary tracts in the leaf tissue as well as by testing the chemical nature of the honeydew produced. Five other types of waveforms were also recognized and categorized as miscellaneous waveforms, but these have yet to be correlated with specific activities (waveforms not shown). Measuring the time spent on these activities enables feeding-related activities to be quantified. Twenty GLH were recorded for 3 h on TN1 and IR62 and then compared. Twelve GLH were also recorded for 6 h on TN1 and IR62 to see whether any marked differences exist in feeding behavior due to prolonged recordings. The different waveforms recorded on both the chart recorder and computer were classified into nonfeeding, probing, phloem feeding, nonphloem feeding, and miscellaneous waveforms as described above. Noticeable differences were apparent between the 3 h and 6 h recordings. The differences in time spent probing, phloem feeding, and nonphloem feeding on the varieties were more obvious during 6 h of recording rather than during 3 h (Fig. 2).

24

IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

News about research collaboration

22nd International Rice Research Conference report
More than 250 rice scientists and policymakers participated in the 22nd International Rice Research Conference (IRRC) held 13-17 February at the IRRI research center in Los Baos, Laguna, Philippines. The conference focused on fragile rainfed rice-based environments and featured something new: a researchpolicy dialogue. The world today is unable to provide adequate employment and food for 700 million people, said IRRI Director General Klaus Lampe in his welcome address to IRRC participants. The question that must be asked is: how can we feed 10, 15, or 20 billion people in the next century? The world rice research community, especially those concerned with the less favorable environments, is burdened with unparalleled responsibility. The solution lies only through very innovative research, with very innovative results, that can be put into practice by farmers, said Dr. Lampe. We have to actby planning for far into the future, so that the children born today may have the chance to see the end of the next century. The IRRC, held every two to three years, is the worlds premier conference for rice scientists. Fragile lives in fragile ecosystems: feeding the worlds poor from neglected rice ecosystems was the conference theme. Participants assessed progress in rice research and identified new research approaches for reducing constraints and improving productivity and sustainability of less favored and fragile rice-producing areas. The conference provided a venue that encouraged international partnerships to address research challengesincluding ones between researchers and policymakers, who had the opportunity to interact and develop an action plan for promoting key policy-research synergism. The keynote address was given by Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos, who urged governments to guard against complacency on food security issues. Our immediate problem is how to increase rice production to meet the annual demands of feeding 50 million more mouths, he said. It is about time that the developed and developing countries, particularly those in Asia, which depend on rice as the principal source of calories, begin supporting rice research at the national and international levels, said President Ramos. Support for agricultural research is essential for our survival in the future. Scientists presented more than 80 papers under four topics: risk, gain, and sustainability: constraints to farmer adoption of technology; crop intensification and diversification, nutrient, soil and water management in lowland rice-based ecosystems; understanding variable environments and modeling crop response to stresses, including disease and pest management; and rice breeding strategies, applying biotechnology, and managing and utilizing biodiversity in rainfed lowland rice systems. The papers are being published as a proceedings, scheduled for release in late 1995. The Outstanding Young Women in Rice Science Award recipients were honored on the first day, with each awardee giving a research presentation. (See related article.) The new dimension added to this IRRC was a researcher-policymaker dialogue. The impact of research is always contingent on the policy environment, particularly in less favorable areas, said Dr. Robert Zeigler, IRRIs Rainfed Lowland Rice Program leader and IRRC organizing committee chairman. The policy perspectives session was held to help open channels of communication among senior research directors, policymakers, and planners. A publication on this session is being planned. Senior policy officials from throughout Asia provided perspectives on policies relevant to agricultural research and development. Researcher participants gained an appreciation of how policies relevant to agriculture are developed, and policymakers, in turn, became aware of major potential breakthroughs in less favored environments that may deserve special policy consideration.

Five researchers named outstanding young women rice scientists

Five researchers from four major ricegrowing regions of the world were named as the 1995 Outstanding Young Women in Rice Science at the 22nd International Rice Research Conference, They are Ms. Mai Thi Mien, Vietnam; Dr. Madeleine Ntibishimirwa, Burundi; Ms. C. A. Rosamma, India; Ms. Iis Syamsiah, Indonesia; and Dr. Yang Xiaoe, Peoples Republic of China. Although women often provide up to one-half of the labor in producing rice, they are in many countries underrepresented among rice scientists, says IRRI Director General Klaus Lampe. We initiated the award to encourage womens involvement in rice research and to promote their professional development. By doing so, we want to create the awareness needed to recognize the intellectual potential still too often underutilized, if not suppressed. The awards were cosponsored by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) and IRRI. Ms. Mai Thi Mien, a plant breeder at the Food Crops Research Institute, Tuloc Haihung, Vietnam, was cited for developing several outstanding spring rice varieties by integrating conventional and mutation breeding methods. These varieties have improved rice production on thousands of hectares in the Red River Delta of Vietnam. Dr. Ntibishimirwa, a pathologist and director general of the Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi, leads the rice improvement program at the University of Burundi. Through her researchoften conducted under adverse conditionsshe formulated recommendations for the integrated management of the organism that causes bacterial sheath rot, an important rice disease.
IRRN 20:2 (June 1995) 25

Ms. Rosamma, an assistant professor of plant breeding and genetics at Kerala Agricultural University in India, has worked on rice improvement that resulted in the release of several high-yielding varieties now planted on more than 50,000 ha in Kerala. These varieties are also used internationally as parental lines in rice improvement programs. Ms. Iis Syamsiah, a researcher at the Sukamandi Research Institute for Food Crops, Indonesia, specializes in water management and the role of women in rice-based farming systems. More than 1,500 small farm reservoirs have been established in rainfed lowland areas as a result of her work. Dr. Yang Xiaoe, who is a rice nutrition researcher and teacher and an associate professor at Zheijiang Agricultural University, Peoples Republic of China, was cited for her detailed studies on soil and root interactions that have helped to clarify why hybrid rices outperform ordinary rice varieties. Each of the scientists received a cash grant to further her research and a travel grant to visit IRRI headquarters in the Philippines and to attend the International Rice Research Conference.

INGER, with 95 countries and 1,000 scientists participating in its activities, is one of the most successful international networks involved in plant germplasm evaluation and utilization. The INGER advisory committee guides rice germplasm exchange, evaluation and use, and provides policy guidelines on safe and unrestricted exchange of germplasm globally.

Breeding rice to improve the health of women and children

More than 2 billion people, mostly women and children, suffer from iron deficiency. When zinc, vitamin A. and iodine insufficiencies are calculated along with iron, more than half the worlds people are affected. Such micronutrient deficiencies now outrank protein-energy malnutrition. However, overcoming these deficiencies may eventually become possible in some regions with the development of new rice types. An International Conference on Nutrition, convened in 1992 by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization, urged that an agricultural solution to the problem of micronutrient deficiency be found. In response to this, IRRI began collaborating with scientists at the University of Adelaide in Australia, the United States Department of Agricultures Nutrition Laboratory at Cornell University, USA, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in Colombia, and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Mexico to increase the availability of micronutrients in crop staples through plant breeding. At IRRI, the first stage of the collaborationto survey the mineral content of ricesis under way. Preliminary results show that several rice varieties contain twice as much iron and zinc as that found in IR36, the most commonly grown highyielding rice variety, says Dr. D. Senadhira, an IRRI rice breeder.

Normally humans absorb only 25-30 percent of iron and zinc in rice. Thus, the second stage aims to determine exactly how much of the micronutrients are available in the rice diet. The third stage will seek to develop screening techniques to determine which varieties have the most iron and zinc, then to incorporate these characteristics into new varieties. Early results are encouraging, says Dr. Robin Graham of the University of Adelaide. Our calculations show that if new rices are developed with twice the iron that can be absorbed by humans, they would considerably improve the iron balance in women and children.

Improving rice farming in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam

An extensive research program on varietal improvement, deepwater rice, integrated nutrient management, and ricebased farming systems is now under way at 40 sites in 11 provinces in Vietnam. It is the first major nationally executed project under the United Nations system. Selected international executing agencies, such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, previously handled all United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) projects. The project, financed by UNDP, will be carried out by the Vietnamese government with the technical cooperation of IRRI. It aims to strengthen the capabilities of the Cuu Long Delta Rice Research Institute (CLRRI) to do research and to develop, verify, and transfer technological packages through strong scientist-toscientist collaboration and short-term visits by IRRI scientists. After only 2.5 years, 25 IRRI scientists have made a total of 43 visits to CLRRI. Despite limited funds, the project has supported 37 Vietnamese scientists through fellowships and study grants and provided in-country training to 165 BS graduates and technicians. Twenty-nine scientific meetings have been organized, attended by 1,245 scientists, extension workers, and government officials.

INGER-Myanmar: a success story

Myanmar has emerged as the worlds fourth largest rice exporter. One of the factors for its success in this area is the countrys active involvement with INGER (International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice), based at IRRI. At the December 1994 INGER advisory committee meeting held in Myanmar, the Myanma minister of agriculture said that his country had released 26 varieties, supplied through participation in INGER, that are now extensively cultivated in farmers fields. Rice production has jumped from 13 million tons in 1991-92 to 17 million tons in 1993-94, said the minister. The target for 1994-95 is set for 19.5 million tons.

26

IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

IRRI introduces small, powerful harvester

Stripper-gatherer (SG) harvesters developed at IRRI are now being manufactured or field-tested in 12 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Designed for use in small ricefields less than half a hectare in size, the SG harvester uses 3 liters of gasoline an hour and can harvest 4 tons of rice grain in an eight-hour working day. Because most rice producers have only one or two small fields, the SG harvester is primarily intended for sale to local contract operators. Costing US$1,800 (without the engine), the SG harvester is estimated to pay for itself in less than 60 days of operation. The SG harvester was first field-tested in 1993 in the Philippines and Thailand. By mid-1994, commercial production began in the Philippines and Vietnam. The technology was developed in collaboration with the United Kingdoms Silsoe Research Institute with funding from the UK Overseas Development Administration. IRRI and local engineers are studying the roles of national agencies, extension workers, manufacturers, and farmers in the transfer of the harvester technology to Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The aim of the studies, which are supported by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), is to develop efficient ways to transfer the SG technology. IRRI has delivered SG harvesters to, or has orders from, China, Colombia, Cte dIvoire, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

processesfor example, to ensure that insecticides are applied only when necessary. Heuristicsrules-of-thumb stored in computer data basesare used in solving problems. The computer system searches the data bases and comes up with the best solution based on research outputs and principles. A simple rule-of-thumb, for example, is early-season insecticide spraying for leaf-feeding insects is not necessary. This simple rule was developed from several years research at IRRI and other national research institutes. Field evaluation experiments carried out in the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia showed that the rule worked in all cases. Many farmers who had conducted experiments to evaluate this rule found it to be true and had stopped early-season insecticide applications. Prof. Gelia Castillo, IRRI consultant, calls this approach of using a simple ruleof-thumb, high sciencelow tech. In two districts of Long An Province, the pilot project evaluated the use of media to encourage farmers to experiment with this rule. The message was delivered through TV, radio, billboards, posters, pamphlets, and demonstration farms. According to Madame Ngoc, director of plant protection in Long An, at least 60% of the 12,500 farmers in Tan Tru District had stopped early-season insecticide use in the autumn-winter crop of 1994. No pest problem has been reported as a result of using the rule. The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and IRRI scientists are now studying the impact and sustainability of using heuristics in integrated pest management.

agricultural research. It will support relevant research on the rainfed lowland rice ecosystem, which makes up about one-fourth of the worlds total riceland. There are more than 35 million hectares of rainfed lowland rice in Asia, located primarily in eastern India, Bangladesh, and Southeast Asia. Rainfed lowlands are characterized by low rice production (less than 2 tons per hectare), primarily because of floods and drought. Farmers in these areas are among the regions poorest and have little access to improved technology. The RLRRC, established in 1991 with ADB support, is composed of the national agricultural research systems of Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand, as well as IRRI. Consortium scientists are undertaking strategic research directions toward principal constraints and opportunities in rainfed lowland rice-based systems. Principal efforts are to improve understanding of the variable environment, generate improved germplasm tolerant of abiotic stresses and resistant to biotic stresses, and develop sustainable production alternatives that better utilize natural and applied resources.

Rainfed Lowland Rice Research Consortium: new advanced center for plant physiology
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, has designated as an advanced center for plant physiology research the Department of Crop Physiology, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology (NDUAT), Kumarganj, Faizabad, India. Dr. B. B. Singh, head of NDUATs Crop Physiology Department and a key site coordinator for the Rainfed Lowland Rice Research Consortium (RLRRC), will serve as director of the advanced center. Researchers at the MasodhaKumarganj key site conduct strategic research on the mechanism of submergence and salt tolerance physiology in rainfed lowland rice.

High science-low tech: using heuristics in integrated pest management Scientists at IRRI are evaluating ways to integrate concepts in computer and communication sciences to improve farmers pest management practices. A pilot project in Long An Province in Vietnam uses the heuristics concept to improve farmers decisionmaking

ADB supports rainfed lowland rice research

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is contributing US$1.1 million to IRRI in 1995-97 to support the Rainfed Lowland Rice Research Consortium (RLRRC) for Asia. The technical assistance reflects the Banks policy of strengthening regional, development-oriented,

IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

27

Modern training facilities will be developed, additional equipment obtained, and technical personnel hired so that the center can provide leadership and training for plant physiologists working in teaching, research, and extension activities at state agricultural universities and ICAR institutes, resulting in a boost for consortium activities.

Ten IRRI breeding lines released in eight countries in 1994

During 1994, 10 IRRI breeding lines were released as varieties in eight countries in Africa and Asia:

IR2793-80-1, a high-yielding line with good grain quality, in Uganda. An early-maturing line, IR 156-2502-2, as Changu in Malawi. Another early-maturing line, IR28125-79-3-3-2, with good grain quality, as Gui 713 in Guangxi Province of China. A cold-tolerant and early-maturing line, IR28128-45-2, as Pakhel in Pakistan. Two lines resistant to brown planthopper, IR33059-26-2-2 and IR49517-23-2-2-3-2, in Vietnam. IR51672-62-2-1-1-2-1 as Rc18 and IR57301-195-3-3 as Rc20 in the Philippines.

IR51672-115-2-3-1-3 as BR3 in Brunei. An early-maturing line with good grain quality, IR9201-30-1-3-1-3, as Prabhat in Bihar State of India. IRRI supplies seeds of elite breeding lines to scientists in rice-growing countries all over the world through the International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice (INGER) or as requested by scientists in national agricultural research systems (NARS). These lines are evaluated under local conditions and promising ones are used in hybridization programs or released as varieties. To date, NARS have selected more than 300 varieties from germplasm supplied by IRRI.

Announcements
IRRI scientist named fellow of the Royal Society
Dr. Gurdev S. Khush, principal plant breeder at IRRI, has been elected a fellow of the Royal Society for his work in improving natural knowledge. The Society, which was granted its charter by Charles II of Britain in 1662, is now composed of 1,126 scientists from British Commonwealth countries who have made outstanding scientific achievements. Dr. Khush has led IRRIs rice breeding research for the past 28 years. During that time, more than 250 breeding lines developed at IRRI have been released as varieties by national rice improvement programs worldwide. One of the varieties developed under his leadership, IR36, was at one time planted to 11 million hectares of riceland annually in the 1980s. IR36 was the first high-yielding, early-maturing variety with multiple disease and insect resistance. IR64, also developed under his leadership, is now the most widely planted rice variety in Established as the International Rice Testing Program in 1975, the objectives of INGER are to make the worlds elite rice germplasm available to all rice scientists for direct use or in crosses within breeding programs. to provide rice scientists with an opportunity to assess the performance of their own advanced breeding lines over a range of climatic, cultural, soil, disease, and insect pest conditions. to identify genetic sources of resistance to major biotic stresses and tolerance for abiotic stresses. the world. For his rice varietal improvement work, Dr. Khush has been honored with several international awards, including the Japan Prize by the Science and Technology Foundation of Japan. Dr. Khush, an Indian, holds a doctorate in genetics from the University of California, Davis. He is a member of numerous professional societies and a fellow of several scientific academies, including the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Third World Academy of Sciences, and the Indian Academy of Sciences. to monitor and evaluate the genetic variation of pathogens and insect pests. to serve as a center for information exchange on how varietal characteristics interact with diverse ricegrowing environments. to promote cooperation and interaction among rice improvement scientists. INGER has been one of IRRIs most effective programs. Opening the genetic flow among continents and making diverse germplasm available has had a visible impact on the varietal improvement programs of national systems and international centers. INGER has pro-

Attention collaborators: INGER nurseries available for 1996

Requests for 1996 nurseries are now being accepted through the International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice (INGER) (see table). About 1,000 rice scientists from national agricultural research systems in about 95 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America participate in INGER, as do scientists from several of the international agricultural research centers. The best breeding lines and varieties developed at these institutions are combined into a series of observational and yield nurseries for evaluation in about 800 locations.
28 IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

vided more than 38,000 breeding lines and varieties for evaluation since its inception. Of these, 454 have been released as varieties in 57 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Each variety contributes an annual average of US$2.5 million to the world economy. INGER has two nursery types. Ecosystem-oriented nurseries, for each of the rainfed upland, rainfed lowland, irrigated, and flood-prone ecosystems, are made up of observational nurseries for evaluating numerous breeding lines

and yield nurseries for intensively evaluating a few lines in replicated trials. In stress-oriented nurseries, elite germplasm is screened for major biotic (pests and diseases) and abiotic (temperature, moisture, and soil) stresses to identify donors, to recognize their durability, and to study variability in races and biotypes. Cooperators select the types of nurseries they would like to test, and then INGER provides them with the seeds and field books. Cooperators send the evaluation data back to INGER, where

they are analyzed, interpreted, and put into a report. Many countries have a representative on the INGER Advisory Committee, a national coordinator for INGER, or an IRRI liaison scientist. Any of these people will take requests for INGER nurseries. If you are not already a cooperator and need more information, contact Dr. R.C. Chaudhary, INGER global coordinator, IRRI. Requests should be received by 31 Aug 1995.

INGER nurseries available for evaluation during 1996. Maturity range (d) Type Ecosystern-oriented Irrigated Yield Observational Name Full name Tropics Temperate Maximum entries (no.) Approximate wt (kg)

IIRYN-E IIRYN-M IIRON IRHON IRBON IRTON IRFAON

International Irrigated Rice Yield Nursery-Early International Irrigated Rice Yield Nursery-Medium International Irrigated Rice Observational Nursery (consists of 2 modules: very early/early and medium/late) International Hybrid Rice Observational Nursery International Boro Rice Observational Nursery International Temperate Rice Observational Nursery International Fine-grained Aromatic Rice Observational Nursery International Upland Rice Observational Nursery (consists of 2 modules: early and medium) International Rainfed Lowland Rice Yield NurseryMedium International Rainfed Lowland Rice Observational Nursery (consists of 2 modules: early and medium) International Deepwater Rice Observational Nursery (consists of 3 modules: submergence, deepwater, and floating) International Rice Drought-Tolerant Nursery International Rice Soil Salinity-Tolerant Nursery International International International International Rice Blast Nursery Rice Tungro Nursery Rice Whitebacked Planthopper Nursery Rice Stem Borer Nursery

90-120 120-140 90-140 100-140 111-130 100-150 100-130

115-145 145-165 115-165

30 30 120 100 100 100 100

4.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 3.0 3.0 3.0

Rainfed Upland Observational Lowland Yield Observational

IURON IRLYN-M IRLON IDRON

90-140 125-160 a 125-160 a 110-160 b

100 30 100 100

2.0 4.0 2.5 2.0

Stress-oriented Abiotic Drought Soils Biotic Diseases Insects

a

IRDTN IRSSTN IRBN IRTN IRWBPHN IRSBN

b

115-165 115-165

100 100 350 135 130 75

1.5 1.5 4.0 1.5 1.5 1.0

Some photoperiod-sensitive entries:

Photoperiod-sensitive.

Biotechnologia Habana 95
The Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization and the Food

and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, is sponsoring an international meeting on biotechnology. The event, with the theme Biotechnologia Habana 95: new opportunities in plant, animal, and industrial technology, will

be held in Havana, Cuba, on 12-17 Nov 1995. For more information, contact the Organizing Committee, Biotechnology Habana 95, P.O. 6162, Havana, 10600, Cuba.
IRRN 20:2 (June 1995) 29

2nd International Symposium on Systems Approaches for Agricultural Development

The second International Symposium on Systems Approaches for Agricultural Development will be held at IRRI on 6-8 Dec 1995. The objectives of the symposium are to review the status of

applications of systems research and modeling in agricultural research, with specific focus on countries where agricultural development is facing major challenges, and to promote international collaborative activities and to increase awareness of opportunities for using systems approaches as a tool in research and planning.

It is organized by IRRI, the International Consortium for Agricultural Systems Applications (ICASA), and the Systems Analysis and Simulations in Rice Production Network (SARP). For details, contact Dr. P. K. Aggarwal, IRRI.

New IRRI publications

Heterosis and hybrid rice breeding 1994. 189 pages. US$19.00 in highly developed countries (HDC), US$5.00 in less developed countries (LDC), plus US$6.00 airmail or US$1.50 surface postage. Commercial exploitation of heterosis in rice has helped China to increase rice varietal yield by 15-20% beyond the level of semidwarf rice varieties. There are indications that heterosis breeding could also help increase rice yields elsewhere. At the invitation of Dr. Rafael Frankel of the Institute of Field and Garden Crops, The Volcani Center, Israel, Dr. Sant S. Virmani, IRRI plant breeder, has written this monograph as a joint publication of IRRI and Springer-Verlag, Berlin. Dr. Virmani has been actively working on hybrid rice for the past 14 years in collaboration with several countries. This monograph reviews the literature on heterosis, male sterility systems, and the outcrossing mechanism in relation to hybrid rice breeding and seed production. It also addresses disease and insect resistance, grain quality, and the current status and further outlook of hybrid rice breeding in different countries. Plant breeders and students of plant breeding, in general, and hybrid rice breeders, in particular, should find this monograph a valuable addition to hybrid rice literature. On-farm reservoir systems for rainfed ricelands. 1994. 164 pages. US$31.00 in HDC, US$8.00 in LDC, plus US$4.50 airmail or US$l.SO surface postage. Lack of water at times of need is the dominant constraint to increasing produc30 IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

Rice dateline
21-23 Aug 6-8 Oct 16-20 Oct 2nd Asian Crop Science Conference Fukui, Japan ............................................... France/IRRI Day, Montpellier, France .................................... 3rd International Rice Genetics Symposium, IRRI ...................................... G. Rothschild, IRRI K. S. Fischer, IRRI G. S. Khush, IRRI

tivity of most rainfed ricelands. On-farm rainwater storage systems can play an important role in alleviating drought in rainfed ricelands. Research on these storage systems has been conducted in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines to determine their value in conserving rainwater, improving land productivity, and the impact on farmer income. Most of the papers in this publication were presented at a symposium held in conjunction with the 1993 meeting of the Rainfed Lowland Rice Research Consortium. The papers have been extensively edited and updated. Additional chapters have been included to give a full picture of the importance of on-farm reservoirs in rainfed agriculture. Vietnam and IRRI: a partnership in rice research. 1995. 353 pages. US$65.00 in HDC, US$17.00 in LDC, plus US$13.00 airmail or US$2.00 surface postage. IRRI has long recognized the value of collaborative research, as have the scientists of Vietnam. An early result of this partnership was the planting of seeds of IR8 (known as Than Nong 8 in the South and Agriculture 8 in the North). Rapid acceptance of this and many other IRRI-derived lines followed. The exchange of varieties and information

continued during the 1970s, and direct collaboration resumed shortly after reunification with the participation of Vietnamese scientists in the 1976 International Rice Research Conference at IRRI. The papers in this volume were presented during the Vietnam-IRRI Conference held in Hanoi during May 1994. The conference was an important milestone in documenting the progress and charting new paths to sustainable growth. The wild relatives of rice: a genetic resources handbook. 1994. 137 pages. USS42.00 in HDC, US$11.00 in LDC, plus US$9.50 airmail or US$2.00 surface postage. One of IRRIs mandated activities is to maintain and operate a rice genetic resources laboratory that will make available to scientists and institutions all over the world a global collection of rice germplasm. Conservation and evaluation of wild rice genetic resources is an important part of fulfilling this mandate. The wild relatives of rice form part of the wider gene pool of rice, which can be used for rice improvement. Wild species already have furnished some critically important genes for rice improvement. The efforts of former IRRI geneticist Duncan Vaughan and national program scientists to collect wild rice relatives over

the last six years have resulted in this carefully illustrated handbook, which draws together a large amount of information on this vital component of rice germplasm conserved in the International Rice Germplasm Center at IRRI.

New publications
Biofertilizer technology, marketing, and usage. M.R. Motsara et al. Micronutrient sourcebook-cum-directory. H.L.S. Tandon. Recycling of crop, animal, human and industrial wastes in agriculture. Edited by H.L.S. Tandon. Sulphur fertilizers for Indian agriculture. Edited by H.L.S. Tandon. Order from Fertiliser Development and Consultation Organisation, 204-204A Bhanot Corner, 1-2 Pamposh Enclave, New Delhi 110048, India. Fax: 91-116465645.

Call for news

Individuals, institutions, and organizations are invited to tell readers about upcoming events in rice research or related fields in the Rice dateline. Send announcements to the Editor, International Rice Research Notes, IRRI.

Rice literature update reprint service

Photocopies of items listed in the Rice literature update are available from the IRRI Library and Documentation Service. Reprints of original documents (not to exceed 40 pages) are supplied free to scientists of developing countries. Rice scientists elsewhere are charged US$0.20 for each page or part of a page copied, plus postage. Make checks or money orders payable to Library and Documentation Service, IRRI. Address requests to Library and Documentation Service, IRRI. E-mail: C.AUSTRIA@CGNET.COM.

IRRI address
International Rice Research Institute P.O. Box 933 1099 Manila, Philippines Tel: (63-2) 891-1926 Fax: (63-2) 891-1292 Telex:(ITT) 40890 RICE PM E-mail: Postmaster@ IRRI.CGNET.COM.

IRRI group training courses for 1995

IRRI provides a limited number of scholarships for participation in its shortterm group training courses for 1995. To be considered for an IRRI-funded scholarship, a scientist must be affiliated with a national institution that has an official collaborative agreement with IRRI in a rice-related research and training project. A scientist interested in an IRRI-funded scholarship should apply directly to his or her institution and not to IRRI. IRRI also accepts scientists from other institutions and agencies for the courses if they are working in rice or rice-related areas. Their applications to participate in courses must be endorsed to IRRI by their employer and must specify funding sources to cover costs. IRRIs group course training fee is approximately US$1,200/month: this does not include participants roundtrip international airfare, enroute expenses, or shipping allowance upon return home. The courses are conducted at IRRI headquarters unless otherwise indicated. For additional information, contact the Head, Training Center, IRRI.

Date 17 Jul-8 Sep

Course Integrated Pest Management a (University of the Philippines Los Baos) Adaptive Research with a Farming Systems Perspective Scientific Programming Genetic Evaluation and Utilization Geographic Information Systems Rice Production Researchb (Pathum Thani Rice Research Center, Thailand) Engineering for Rice Agriculture c (India Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India) Gender Perspective and Analysis in Rural Development d (International Institute for Rural Reconstruction, Silang, Cavite, Philippines) Frontiers of Social Science Research Methods for Agricultural Systems Analysis

17 Jul-15 Sep 14-25 Aug 14 Aug-3 NOV 2-27 Oct 9 Oct-1 Dec 6 Nov- 15 Dec

13-24 NOV

20 Nov-1 Dec
aUniversity

of the Philippines Los Baos, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, and IRRI. b Thailand Rice Research Institute and IRRI. cIndia Institute of Technology and IRRI. d International Institute of Rural Reconstruction and IRRI.

IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

31

Erratum
Detection of rice tungro bacilliform virus in nonvector insect species following genomic amplification, by S.R. Venkitesh and H. Koganezawa, 20 (1) (Mar 1995), 35-36. Two sets of photographs should have been published with the following captions:

1. PCR products resolved in 2% agarose gel, stained with ethidium bromide, and visualized by UV illumination. The DNA template used was lanes 1 and 2 = total genomic DNA from RTBVinfected plant (positive control); lanes 3-12 = total genomic DNA of 10 N. virescens (a) and 10 N. nigropictus (b); lanes 13 and 14 = total genomic DNA from nonviruliferous insects (negative control). M = size marker (100-1000 bp).

2. PCR products resolved in 2% agarose gel, stained with ethidium bromide and visualized by UV illumination. The DNA template used was (a): lane 1 = total genomic DNA from RTBV-infected plant (positive control); lane 2 = total genomic DNA from nonviruliferous insect (negative control); lanes 3 and 14 = total genomic DNA of 12 N. lugens; and (b): lanes 1 and 2 = total genomic DNA from RTBVinfected plant (positive control); lanes 3-12 = total genomic DNA of 10 R. dorsalis; lanes 13 and 14 = total genomic DNA from nonviruliferous insects (negative control). M = size marker (300-1000 bp).

32

IRRN 20:2 (June 1995)

Instructions for contributors

NOTES General criteria. Scientific notes submitted to the IRRN for possible publication should be original work, have international or pannational relevance, be conducted during the immediate past three years or be work in progress, have rice environment relevance, advance rice knowledge, use appropriate research design and data collection methodology, report pertinent, adequate data, apply appropriate statistical analysis, and reach supportable conclusions. Routine research. Reports of screening trials of varieties, fertilizer, cropping methods, and other routine observations using standard methodologies to establish local recommendations are not ordinarily accepted. Examples are singleseason, single-trial field experiments. Field trials should be repeated across more than one season, in multiple seasons, or in more than one location as appropriate. All experiments should include replications and an internationally known check or control treatment. Multiple submissions. Normally, only one report for a single experiment will be accepted. Two or more items about the same work submitted at the same time will be returned for merging. Submitting at different times multiple notes from the same experiment is highly inappropriate. Detection will result in the rejection of all submissions on that research. IRRN categories. Specify the category in which the note being submitted should appear. Write the category in the upper right-hand corner of the first page of the note. GERMPLASM IMPROVEMENT genetic resources genetics breeding methods yield potential grain quality pest resistance diseases insects other pests stress tolerance drought excess water adverse temperature adverse soils other stresses integrated germplasm improvement irrigated rainfed lowland upland flood-prone (deepwater and tidal wetlands) seed technology CROP AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT soils soil microbiology physiology and plant nutrition fertilizer management inorganic sources organic sources crop management integrated pest management diseases insects weeds other pests water management farming systems farm machinery postharvest technology economic analysis ENVIRONMENT SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Manuscript preparation. Arrange the note as a brief statement of research objectives, a short description of project design, and a succinct discussion of results. Relate results to the objectives. Do not include abstracts. Do not cite references or include a bibliography. Restrain acknowledgments. Manuscripts must be in English. Limit each note to no more than two pages of doublespaced typewritten text. Submit the original manuscript and a duplicate, each with a clear copy of all tables and figures. Authors should retain a copy of the note and of all tables and figures. Apply these rules, as appropriate, in the note: Specify the rice production ecosystems as irrigated, rainfed lowland, upland, deepwater, and tidal wetlands. Indicate the type of rice culture (transplanted, wet seeded, dry seeded). If local terms for seasons are used, define them by characteristic weather (wet season, dry season, monsoon) and by months. Use standard, internationally recognized terms to describe rice plant parts, growth stages, and management practices. Do not use local names. Provide genetic background for new varieties or breeding lines. For soil nutrient studies, include a standard soil profile description, classification, and relevant soil properties. Provide scientific names for diseases, insects, weeds, and crop plants. Do not use common names or local names alone. Quantify survey data, such as infection percentage, degree of severity, and sampling base. When evaluating susceptibility, resistance, and tolerance, report the actual quantification of damage due to stress, which was used to assess level or incidence. Specify the measurements used. Use generic names, not trade names, for all chemicals. Use international measurements. Do not use local units of measure. Express yield data in metric tons per hectare (t/ha) for field studies and in grams per pot (g/pot) for small-scale studies. Express all economic data in terms of the US$. Do not use local monetary units. Economic information should be presented at the exchange rate US$:local currency at the time data were collected. When using acronyms or abbreviations, write the name in full on first mention, followed by the acronym or abbreviation in parentheses. Use the abbreviation thereafter. Define any nonstandard abbreviations or symbols used in tables or figures in a footnote, caption, or legend. Tables and figures. Each note can have no more than two tables and/or figures (graphs, illustrations, or photos). All tables and figures must be referred to in the text; they should be grouped at the end of the note, each on a separate page. Tables and figures must have clear titles that adequately explain the contents. Review of notes. The IRRN editor will send an acknowledgment card when a note is received. An IRRI scientist, selected by the editor, reviews each note. Reviewer names are not disclosed. Depending on the reviewers report, a note will be accepted for publication, rejected, or returned to the author(s) for revision.

(continued on back cover)