Philippine E-Journals

Growth And Yield Performance Of Traditional Upland Rice In Low Elevation Upland Agro-Ecosystem

Araceli J. Badar | Menisa A. Antonio | Epifania O. Agustin | Dionisio S. Bucao | Mary Anne B. Gorospe

Discipline: Agriculture

 

Abstract:

In answer to the Philippine’s rice self-sufficiency goal, the expansion of production areas for upland rice and the propagation of traditional upland rice (TUR) varieties for local household food security are recommended. However, the encouragement and promotion given to upland rice production would pose ecological hazards to the upland agro-ecosystem and forest resources. Thus, in 2010 to 2011, agronomic evaluation of 42 traditional upland rice was conducted in low elevation (78-97 masl) uplands such as Lubbot and Payao in the City of Batac, Ilocos Norte, to identify high yielding TUR varieties for cultivation in lower elevation upland agro-ecosystem. Based on growth and yield performance for two cropping years, 17 promising varieties were identified and dubbed as TUR 1, 3, 4, 5, 15, 17, 18, 28, 30, 34, 36, 39, 41, 42, 46, 47 and 50. These consistently produced yields of 3.34 to 4.67 t ha-1, which are higher than what has been previously reported in similar agro-ecosystem. They are tall and low tillering, but have medium panicles, are fertile to highly fertile, and medium maturing. These entries also possess highly acceptable sensory qualities i.e. aroma, gloss, smoothness, and taste. Ten are pigmented varieties, which reportedly contain more health-promoting properties than the unpigmented ones.