Agrikultura

Rice science for better lives

Posted on October 19th By DA-PhilRice

Climate change is now upon us. We need not wonder why our weather is very erratic.

Intense heat is a manifestation of climate change. Heat affects humans, animals, and crops alike, especially the rice plant.

Studies and crop simulation models show that rice yield is expected to decrease by 10-15% for every 1°C increase in temperature. Heat stress is not good for the rice plant because it reduces tillering, height, number of grains, and grain filling that eventually lead to reduced yields.

What is PhilRice doing to cope with climate change?

Rice breeding

DA-PhilRice and IRRI are into breeding drought, saline prone and submergence-tolerant rice varieties.

Heat-tolerant rice breeders are identifying possible parents from Pakistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia rices. These countries have rice varieties that can thrive well under high temperatures. From the best of these varieties, heat tolerance traits will be transferred into popular local varieties.

Submergence breeding efforts have resulted in NSIC Rc194 (Submarino I), which can survive up to 10 days of submergence in water during its vegetative stage.

Varieties Rc 182, 184, 186, 188, and 190 are saline-tolerant. Rc 192 is drought-tolerant.

Seeds of these climate change-adapted varieties are being multiplied for massive use by 2010.

Water

The controlled irrigation (CI) technology that saves water in irrigated rice farms is now being promoted. Some 16-35% reduction in water use is possible through CI without significantly reducing grain yield. Research studies on varieties that require less water are also in the pipeline. CI also saves on labor and input costs, and reduces methane emission.

Going high-tech

State-of-the-art technologies like geographic information system and remote sensing also help identify and map vulnerable areas like drought-prone areas in the country. Studies like these are good inputs in recommending crops that can be planted in specific areas to optimize land use. The use of ICT also can be incorporated as a tool to bridge the knowledge gap between farmers and climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.

Less greenhouse gas emissions

Rice emits methane, a greenhouse gas. Earlier research by DA-PhilRice in collaboration with IRRI identified ways to lessen methane emission in the rice field. These are use of ammonium sulfate as nitrogen fertilizer in place of urea; use of phosphogypsum when applied in combination with urea fertilizer; midseason drainage; and direct seeding instead of transplanting.

The use of the leaf color chart (LCC) also lessens the use of nitrogen fertilizer, one source of nitrous oxide greenhouse gas.

Palayamanan System

Being a diversified integrated rice-based farming system, Palayamanan reduces production risks brought about by climate change. It reduces the use of chemical fertilizers through its biomass resource recovery component. It increases or enhances sinks of CO2 through cropping intensity, planting of fruit trees, and establishment of a mini-forest. It is also a location-specific system that depends on the environment like weather and soil characteristics.

Location-Specific Technology Development Program

Because the effects of climate change are location-specific, this program is one good approach in mitigating climate change. National technology recommendations can now be downscaled to regions, provinces, municipalities, or even barangays if possible, and would be based on existing soil conditions, weather patterns, and climate trends of a certain contiguous area.

Next step

Likewise, proposals for adaptation and impact mitigation of climate change are works in progress. Present technologies will be reviewed so we can come up with a holistic approach on how to cushion the effects of climate change. The use of weather and climate information to safeguard and maximize yield will be encouraged.

DA-PhilRice will continue to devote its energy for research studies that will make the Filipino farmers among the best rice farmers in the world to remain faithful to its promise: “Rice science for better lives”.

DA-PhilRice is a government corporate entity that aims at developing high-yielding and cost-reducing technologies so farmers can produce enough rice for all Filipinos.

Tags: Agrikultura, DA-PhilRice, irri

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