Specialty Rice (Oryza sativa L.) with High and Stable Grain Yield under Rainfed Lowland Conditions

This study aimed to identify superior genotypes of specialty rice (SR) with comparable or higher grain yield than the drought-tolerant check variety under rainfed and controlled-drought conditions. A total of 17 SR varieties (six aromatic, six pigmented, five glutinous) and a drought-tolerant check variety with ordinary grain quality were evaluated under rainfed lowland and controlled-drought conditions from 2019 to 2021 at Central Luzon State University in the Philippines. Among the SR varieties, aromatic NSIC Rc344, pigmented Black rice, and glutinous NSIC Rc15 had comparable or higher grain yield than the drought-tolerant check variety under both rainfed and controlled-drought conditions. These selected genotypes were classified as the highest yielding, with a more stable yield than the drought-tolerant check variety across the hydrological conditions based on the BLUPs productivity and stability test and drought tolerance indices. The selected SR varieties had a greater panicle number (NSIC Rc344), more grains per panicle (NSIC Rc15), and a higher 1000-grain weight and harvest index (Black rice). In comparison to a higher yield but with a higher market price due to the superior grain quality of the identified SR than the drought-tolerant check variety, the net income in rainfed lowland conditions significantly increased by 69-108%. These results suggest that planting good-performing SR in rainfed lowlands can increase profitability in this ecosystem due to the higher market price compared to ordinary drought-tolerant varieties.