Rice yields under Rhamphicarpa fistulosa-infested field conditions, and variety selection criteria for resistance and tolerance

•Under R. fistulosa infested conditions, rice varieties yielded 1.2–2.4tha−1.•Variety-specific Rhamphicarpa-inflicted yield losses range from 24% to 73%.•Rhamphicarpa biomass is a suitable variety selection measure for resistance.•Tolerant varieties combine high parasite biomass with low relative yield loss.•High yielding, R. fistulosa resistant NERICA-L-40, -31 can be promoted to farmers.