"Momiroman", a new rice cultivar for feed use

Abstract

Momiroman is a new paddy rice cultivar for feed use. This cultivar was established by the National Institute of Crop Science, NARO in 2008 from a cross of IR65598-112-2 and Saikai 203 and backcrossed with Saikai 203 three times at the Kyushu Agricultural Experimental Station. Momiroman had been evaluated for its characteristics under the name Kanto-shi 226 since 2005. The superiority of Momiroman was confirmed in performance tests, and an application to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery for offi cial registration was made in 2008. Its main characteristics are as described below. The heading date of Momiroman was two days earlier than that of Nipponbare. Yellowing-ripe and ripening stages were similar and 12 days later than those of Nipponbare, respectively. The culm height of Momiroman was similar to Nipponbare, however, its number of panicles was less than that of Nipponbare. Its plant type was classifi ed into the panicle weight type. The lodging resistance of Momiroman was superior and evaluated as very strong, and it was well adapted to direct sowing cultivation. According to yield trial tests by the National Institute of Crop Science, its yield of rough brown rice was 35% to 40% more than that of Nipponbare and 8% to 15% more than the high yielding cultivar Takanari. Total digestible nutrients(TDN)yield per unit of whole plant of Momiroman at the yellowing-ripe stage was about 8% more than that of Nipponbare. The estimated genotype of true resistance to blast in Momiroman remains unknown. Its levels of firesistance to leaf and panicle blast are also unknown. The rice grain of Momiroman was distinguishable from those of cultivars for steam rice use, because of its remarkably inferior qualities of appearance and eating quality. From the above-mentioned characteristics, Momiroman is expected to be suitable for use as a superior rice cultivar for feed rice and whole crop silage.