‘Taoyuan No. 7’ bred after eight-year research project

Charlotte Lee

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taoyuan’s Agricultural Research and Extension Station said Wednesday it has developed “Taoyuan No. 7,” an aromatic rice variety resistant to rice blast. 

Rice blast, a disease that affects rice quality and yield, is exacerbated by high temperatures and humidity following rainfall during the May and June rainy season. To address this problem, the station spent eight years researching the rice blast resistance of its aromatic variety “Taoyuan No. 3,” per CNA.

Through molecular marker-assisted selection for the Pita-2 gene, associate researcher Chien Chen-yu (簡禎佑) successfully bred the new variety. It combines strong resistance to rice blast, stable yields, and the high-quality characteristics of its parent.

Field trials were conducted at nine sites in Taoyuan and six in Hsinchu. Farmers used standard cultivation methods, excluding rice blast fungicides and seed treatments.

In three areas, “Taoyuan No. 7” yielded 15% more than “Taoyuan No. 3.” Harvested rice yields were estimated to fall within 5,334 to 7,617 kg per hectare.

The yield data demonstrated the high and stable performance of “Taoyuan No. 7,” according to station Deputy Director Fu Yang-jen (傅仰人). The station is applying for plant variety rights and is open to technology transfer applications.

Published Date: December 19, 2024