The document summarizes a report on field trials of autumn rice crops conducted in 2015 at the Rice Research Station in Burma. It provides information gathered from farmer surveys on major sources of rice production information and varieties grown. It also includes recommendations to strengthen breeding, seed production, agronomy, plant pathology, and entomology programs. Overall recommendations are provided to improve research, extension, seed programs and facilities at the Rice Research Station in Burma.

1. DP Singh
A Report on Monitoring of
Field Trials of Autumn Rice
Crop, 2015
Rice Research Station, GRDB, Burma

3. What farmers say?
(Information based on survey conducted in 5 region during Dec 2015)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Region 2
Region 3
Region 4
Region 5
Region 6
Average
Major Source of information on new rice production technologies

4. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Region 6 Average
0 up to 5 >5
Visits to RRS Burma by farmers

5. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Region 2 Region 3 Region 4
Region 5 Region 6 Average
Percentage of farmers and varieties being grown

6. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
80
lb/ac
90 100 110 115 120 125 130 135 140 150 155 160 170
Region 2
Region 3
Region 4
Region 5
Region 6
Seed rate (lb/acre) used by farmers (%)

7. Breeding for higher grain yield, better elasticity
to climate
High quality suiting for local and international
consumers.
Special rice varieties for minimizing the
deficiencies of Zinc and Iron, protein and low
glycemic index for diabetic population.
Major Researchable Issues
Plant Breeding

8. Fair degree of host resistance to biotic
stresses to minimize use of chemicals and
their residues, keeping in view of export of
paddy and rice and meeting phytosanitory
standards
‘Participatory’ approach in plant breeding
and varietal selection, release and de
notification of old varieties
Maintenance breeding
Pre breeding for creation of more genetic
diversity
Rice gene bank

9. RECOMMENDATIONS
 Better display boards in trials
The trial may be kept bit drier to facilitate
visit on key events
Introduce ‘Farmers’ Participatory
Varietal Selection’
PVT may be planted at one more location
in replicated design
Work to improve quality of rice (Fine,
Scented with better nutritive value)

10. Seed Production
Improved seed security
-Timely availability
-Affordable cost
-At proper place
-Right variety
- Proper quality

11. RECOMMENDATIONS
Strengthening of rice seed team, laboratory
(Seed technologist supported by farm
manager, seed plant engineer and seed
marketing staff)
A revolving fund of $ 10-20 millions to seed
programme
Improved seed production technology to
increase seed multiplication ratio and quality
Seed testing and certification may be initiated
without further delay

12. Regular training of seed growers in quality
seed production in collaboration with
Extension and Research programmes
Enhanced seed replacement rate (25-30%) for
10-15% jump in rice production
Digital photos proofs of seed plots at
different stages
Seed Certification by a team
Seed labeling
The seed storage may be improved

13. Integrated weed management with special
reference to ‘red rice’ and it immediate
application in seed plots
Integrated nutrient management, testing
and suggesting improvement in ‘6P’ practice
being promoted by Extension programme
Agronomy of newly released rice varieties
Agronomy

14. ‘Conservation agriculture’ for cleaner
environment, improving soil health and
reducing cost of rice production
Narrowing yield gaps between farmers’
fields and potent yield of varieties
Adjustment of sowing dates in seed plots
for proper quality
Growing rice during off season under
irrigated conditions for seed production

15.  Use statistical design in field trials
Initiate trials on integrated red rice
management, conservation agriculture,
diversification of cropping system, green
manuring, yield maximization, agronomy of
new varieties, growing rice during off season.
Associate with seed team for management
and elimination of red rice in plots.
RECOMMENDATIONS

16. Conclude trials on use of cow dung/FYM,
dates of sowing experiments for commercial
crop, fertilizers (Foliar) trials
 Suggest internal quarantine measures
restricting red rice in non infested regions
The consultancy projects (private
companies etc) need to be given second
priority and may be in contract research
project mode

17. Plant Pathology
Proper evaluation of status of host
resistance under artificially created disease
epiphytotics
Identification and sharing of confirmed
sources of resistance
Pathogenic diversity of major rice pathogens

18. Maintenance and use of pathogenic
variability, mass multiplication and use
of inocula
Disease survey and surveillance, issue
of e newsletter
 ‘Pest Risk Analysis’ and ‘field
certification’ in association with National
Plant Protection Organization
Integrated disease management
technology in seed and commercial crop

19. Create disease epiphytotics at hot spots
Identify and share the confirmed sources of
disease resistance to rice breeders and put
these in gene bank
Disease survey and surveillance. Detection,
maintenance and use of pathogenic variability
for evaluation of host resistance
 Collaborative research on ‘Pest Risk Analysis’
and ‘field certification’. Seed Certification.
Integrated disease management technology
and use validation at farmers’ fields
RECOMMENDATIONS

20. Integrated insect pests management with
special reference to paddy bug
Proper evaluation of host resistance and
identification of good sources of insect pests
resistance
Strategic deployment of varieties in
problematic areas of insect pests attack
Entomology

21. Safer and acceptable technology for
effective pest management in paddy and rice
meant for export
Research on ‘Pest risk analysis’ in
collaboration with NPPO
Generation of basic information on major
insect pests

22. Evaluation of host resistance under
controlled facilities (net house conditions)
Develop module for ‘integrated pest
management’ to minimize cost and doses of
chemicals, residue in grains and protection
off environment.
Import of paddy bug resistant genotypes
of rice , test these and share these with rice
breeder
 Issue of e newsletter on crop health
 Collaboration on PRA and Field
Certification
RECOMMENDATIONS

23. Overall recommendations for Rice
Research Station, Burma
1. Have strong wings of research, extension and
seeds headed by experienced and qualified
scientists
2. Hand over the conduct of field days, seed
days, exhibitions, museum, media
management and briefing etc. to Extension
Programme
3. Hand over seed production (except basic
seed and maintenance breeding) to Seed
Programme

24. 4. The Seed Technology lab may be
established . Add seed label on seed bag
5. Plan trials in consultation with
statistician for use of statistical design
6. Create facilities for conduct of trials at
multilocations for wider adaptability
7. Conduct regular workshops to discuss
last crop experiments and data as well as to
finalize technical plans
8. Release technical report of rice before
beginning of new crop season regularly

25. 9. Identify new technologies regularly besides
new varieties
10. Have regular monitoring of field trials at
RRS Burma and out locations by a team
consisting of at least one external member
11. Use participatory approach in plant
breeding and seed production (farmers, pvt.
sector, rice mills)
12. Initiate contract research projects and
revolving fund schemes. More autonomy to
researchers in these projects
13. Look for externally funded projects

26. 14. Conduct regular crop health survey and
surveillance using network of extension, trap
nursery, sample collection and visits. Use IT
tools. Issue e Newsletter on fortnightly basis
and send it to different agencies and GRDB
web page.
15. Create digital photo lab, collect all photos
at one place
16. Create technical cell for making record of
all data collected and copies of reports, project
files and replies given to questions on crop
technology.

27. 17. Conduct brain storming sessions and review
of work done in Guyana and abroad on specific
issues
18. Strong coordination with R-E-S and external
agencies dealing with rice

28. THANKS

29. Discussion
Problem of internet at station: It was stressed
by Chief Scientist, Administrator
and HODs that fast internet is must to keep
their knowledge updated and timely
communication. Most of the journals are
available as e journals. GM may kindly set time
limit for it and may hire competent agency to
finish the job.
 Implementation of seed system and defining
the role of RRS Burma: At present the entire
responsibility of seed (Basic, C1 & C2) lies with
RRS Burma. It is diluting the efforts of Plant
breeder to do his job. Second tier of rice seed
producers (Pvt/ NGO) is needed to multiply C1
to C2 seed as well as marketing of it.

30. Rice Crop Health e Newsletter: It was
proposed to publish rice health e newsletter
from RRS Burma and GM may facilitate it and
allow to be on GRDB web page and
distribution to key stakeholders.
Contact Research Projects/ Externally
Funded Projects: It was felt by the group of
RES Burma Scientists that GRDB may give
more autonomy to use the funds by Project
Investigators for the purposes outlined in
project and these may not be used for some
other purpose.

31. Revolving fund: A one time grant of 30
million $ may be given to seed programme as
revolving fund for seed production, testing,
certification and processing at RRS Burma. The
amount may be multiplied and 10% of profit
generated may be shared by team members of
seed programme
Revamping of laboratory facilities: The station
laboratories and rice quality testing facilities
may be upgraded to facilitate research on
quality rice (fine and long grain, aroma, toxic
metal and chemical residue free rice).