Multi-location yield performance of highly-adopted rice hybrid

With high availability and strong promotions, popular commercial hybrid rice varieties are prone to less effective positioning. This study was conducted to determine varietal multi-location performance, identify yield patterns among known variation sources and generate spatial recommendations for popular rice hybrids. Two public and two proprietary NSIC-released hybrids were evaluated against NSIC Rc240 for grain yield (t/ha) plant height (cm) and tiller number in both dry and wet seasons at five locations representing major rice producing regions corresponding to different agro-climatic zones. Entry means ranged from 4.80 (Mestiso 6) to 5.69 (Mestiso 19) for grain yield, 93.44 (Mestiso 20) to 104.71 (Mestiso 4) for plant height at maturity, and 11.20 (NSIC Rc240) to 15.33 (Mestiso 20) for tiller number. Grain yield in the DS was about 50% higher than in the WS. The top two hybrids in terms of yield were Mestiso 19 and Mestiso 4. Relative to cropping season, the top two hybrids were Mestiso 20 and Mestiso 19 for the WS, and Mestiso 19 and Mestiso 6 for DS. Among all entries, Mestiso 19 demonstrated widest adaptation, within top two highest yields in 80% of the locations. For proprietary hybrids, Mestiso 6 topped in San Mateo, Isabela, while Mestiso 4 topped in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. TGMS-based hybrids tended to perform better than CMS-based hybrids. Results generated for proprietary hybrids are by no means a restriction for cultivation, rather a suggestive guide for more effective positioning. Among locations, the three with highest grain yield observations in descending order were Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Malaybalay, Bukidnon, and San Mateo, Isabela. Occurrence of genotype x environment interaction was shown by significant location mean differences. Results obtained afford informed variety adoption decisions for farmers, and guided varietal delivery for breeding institutions subsequently increasing rice farming productivity.