Morelos A-2010, new rice variety for direct sowing for central Mexico

Abstract

In central Mexico, rice (Oryza sativa L.) is sowed through transplant and direct under irrigation as well, most of the varieties have been released for transplant; however, when using then for direct sowing they have the problem of lodging. In 1998 began the improvement of rice by induced mutation in order to get a variety for direct-sowing. For this, 200 grams of seeds of the variety Morelos A-92 were irradiated in the source Gammacell 220 of the National Institute for Nuclear Research, with doses of gamma rays 60 Co: 20, 25, 30 and 35 krad. From 1999 to 2005 advance in the selection of the generation M1 to M7, producing 18 uniform lines in 2006. In 2007 and 2008 were evaluated in yield trials in Zacatepec and Cuautla, Morelos, comparing them with the commercial control Morelos A-98; outstanding the lines: M7, M14, M16, M17 and M18 by yield higher than 10 t ha-1, moderate resistance to the rice blast (Magnaporthe grisea), erect growth habit, plant height of 120 cm, resistant to lodging, industrial yield 57% in whole grain, preserving the quality Morelos (20% of white center). In 2009 these lines were validated in transplant and direct sowing in plots of cooperating producers in four sites of Morelos and, M18 excelled the others because of its yield, adaptability and grain quality, so that by the year 2010, it was released as a new variety of rice.