Market and consumer preferences driving rice breeding: new rice varieties set for release

The Cereals program is set to release rice varieties that are adapted to rainfed lowland and upland rice production ecologies. Unlike the previous varieties which were majorly developed for yield, drought and disease resistance, these new candidate varieties pack extra qualities to meet consumer expectations with regard to grain quality, such as long slender grains, aroma, and fluffiness after cooking.

These varieties are coming at the right time when there is a rapid increase in upland and rainfed lowland rice production, since most Ugandans who desire to produce rice do not have access to designated irrigation schemes or personal wetlands

dr. Jimmy Lamo – Program Leader cereals (maize and rice)

These candidate varieties were set for release in early 2020, but this was delayed by the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on public meetings. The release was therefore deferred to 2021. “These varieties are coming at the right time when there is a rapid increase in upland and rainfed lowland rice production, since most Ugandans who desire to produce rice do not have access to designated irrigation schemes or personal wetlands”, noted Dr. Jimmy Lamo, the Program Leader cereals (maize and rice) and national rice breeder.

The improved grain quality of these varieties also gives them an edge against imported rice that is preferred due to its long and slender grains as well as aroma. This will help local farmers to sell their rice at equally competitive prices as the imported rice.

The new candidate varieties include;

NARORICE-1 (PR-107)

• Very early maturing (95 days)
• Moderately aromatic
• long-grain
• excellent yield potential of up to 5.8 t ha^-1.
• improved resistance to rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) disease, rice blast, bacterial leaf blight (BLB), bacterial leaf streak (BLS), and narrow Leaf spot
• Good ratoon potential in limited testing

NARORICE-2 (MET-12)

• very early maturing (102 days)
• Aromatic
• Long-grain
• excellent yield potential (6 t ha^–1)
• soft-cooking characteristics are similar to that of imported Basmati rice.
•  Moderately resistant to rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV), rice blast, bacterial leaf blight (BLB), bacterial leaf streak (BLS) and narrow Leaf spot.
• Tolerant to drought.

NARORICE-3 (MET-20)

• Early-maturing (115 days)
• moderately aromatic
•  high yielding variety (4.7 t ha^–1)
• excellent milling quality
• moderately tolerant rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) disease, rice blast, bacterial leaf blight (BLB), bacterial leaf streak (BLS) and narrow Leaf spot

NARORICE-4 (ARU-1189)

• late maturing (130 days)
• moderately aromatic
• high tillering and high yielding variety (6.5 t ha^–1).
• It is moderately tolerant to some of the common diseases of rice in Uganda such as rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) disease, rice blast, bacterial leaf blight (BLB), bacterial leaf streak (BLS) and narrow Leaf spot.