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by Afreeha Jawad

Around 20-25 per cent yield increase is expected from the BG 407 H hybrid rice variety produced by the Bathalagoda Rice Research and Development Institute.

BRRDI's senior agricultural scientist S. W. Abesekera told the Sunday Observer last week, this will help overcome the current one million metric tons production shortfall.

Sri Lanka's annual rice requirement is million metric tons inclusive of seed paddy while national production figures are 2.9 million metric tons.

The new variety will also help keep steady production levels year round currently affected by drought, floods, high production costs, land filling for building construction and the restrictions following cultivation of not more than two crops per year.

The new variety known for hybrid vigour is also pest and disease resistant. While normal rice varieties need 6-7 generations cultivation, the BG 407 H need first generation material only - a cross between two genetically dissimilar parents and unlike inbreeds could reproduce only for one season.

Being a commercial crop it is intended for high potential zones like Mannar, Estern province, Tissamaharama, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and other areas in the Vanni.

While the broadcasting requirement per acre of inbred is forty kilos, it takes eight kilos of the new hybrid for such purpose which according to Abeysekera should be transplanted and not sown. He also said the normal transplant needs three seedlings in one place while the hybrid requirement is only one.

The wider space between hybrid plants facilitates more tillers and panicle unlike the inbreds, making the new BG 407 H more economical apart from its high yield potential and increased farmer income.

However, the country's prime rice research body has no laboratory for plant breeding. "It's like having a hospital without a labour room," Abeysekera said laughingly.

As a result, the plant breeding division is compelled into leaving its soil and dust coated research material in other labs housing sophisticated equipment. "I fear the outcome," said this principal rice breeder who also explained the adverse impact on the smooth conduct of all breeding research. "Grants that have come to BRRDI are sufficient only to renovate the institute's dilapidated buildings," he informed.

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