A new rice cultivar "Akinouta"

A new rice cultivar "Akinouta" was developed from a cross between "Jikei 54 (Gin-ohmi)" and "Koshihikari" conducted in 1990 at the Shiga Prefectural Agricultural Experiment Station. "Gin-ohmi" is a line with high yield. "Koshihikari" is a line with excellent eating quality. The selected line from the progenies of the cross has been tested for its plant type and grain quality since 1993. The line was named "Daiiku 1244", and tested for its yield, disease resistance and eating quality since 1995. Its adaptability to each region of the prefecture has been examined since 1996. "Daiiku 1244" was re-named "Shiga 62" in 1994. As the result of extensive testing, it was confirmed as a line with fine characteristics, and was re-named "Akinouta" in 1999. The main characteristics of "Akinouta" are as follows: 1) The heading date and maturing date of "Akinouta" are approximately from the same day to three days later than those of "Nipponbare". "Akinouta" is classified as a medium-late maturing cultivar. The culm length of "Akinouta" is 7cm longer than "Nipponbare" and 6cm shorter than "Koshihikari". Its panicle length and panicle number is approximately similar to "Nipponbare". "Akinouta" is a non-glutinous and intermediate plant type cultivar. 2) In performance tests at the breeding station and each region of the prefecture, yield of "Akinouta" was higher than that of "Nipponbare". Its appearance grade as brown rice is superior to that of "Nipponbare". Its 1,000 grain weight as brown rice is heavier than that of "Nipponbare". Its eating quality as cooked rice is obviously superior to that of "Nipponbare". 3) The field resistance of "Akinouta" to blast disease is inferior to that of "Nipponbare". The lodging resistance of "Akinouta" is inferior to that of "Nipponbare", but superior to that of "Koshihikari". 4) "Akinouta" is suitable for the plains of Shiga prefecture