Meeting rising demand
SCIENTISTS at the Manila-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have developed a rice plant that can yield 25 per cent more than existing varieties. The new variety, evolved by combining various samples of germplasm, is being tested and the crop is to be harvested in May.
IRRI chief plant breeder Gurdev Khush hopes the plant will yield up to 12.5 tonnes per ha under irrigated conditions. However, he admits that the new variety will have to be adapted to suit variations in taste in different countries.