1. IRRI.ORG
IRRI, or the International Rice Research Institute, is a nonprofit independent research and training
organization. IRRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium.
IRRI develops new rice varieties and rice crop management techniques that help rice farmers improve
the yield and quality of their rice in an environmentally sustainable way. We work with our public and
private sector partners in national agricultural research and extension systems in major rice-growing
countries to do research, training, and knowledge transfer. Our social and economic research also
informs governments to help them formulate policy to improve the equitable supply of rice.
Our mission
To reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers, and ensure
environmental sustainability through collaborative research, partnerships, and the strengthening of
national agricultural research and extension systems.
Our goals
Reduce poverty through improved and diversified rice-based systems.
Ensure that rice production is sustainable and stable, has minimal negative environmental impact,
and can cope with climate change.
Improve the nutrition and health of poor rice consumers and rice farmers.
Provide equitable access to information and knowledge on rice and help develop the next
generation of rice scientists.
Provide rice scientists and producers with the genetic information and material they need to
develop improved technologies and enhance rice production.
IRRI's goals contribute to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to eradicate extreme
poverty and hunger and ensure environmental sustainability. They are also aligned with the objectives
of the Global Rice Science Partnership that help deliver internationally coordinated research
effectively and efficiently with our partners.
Rice basics
Rice is the staple food for more than half of the human population. Learn about rice, its history, and role in
food security and poverty.
Rice production
Rice goes through a lot before it finally reaches your dinner plate (or bowl). Learn about where and how
rice is produced.
Where is rice grown?
Rice is grown in more than a hundred countries, with a total harvested area in 2009 of
approximately 158 million hectares, producing more than 700 million tons annually (470 million tons of
milled rice). About 90% of the rice in the world is grown in Asia (nearly 640 million tons). Sub-Saharan

2. Africa produces about 19 million tons and Latin America some 25 million tons. In Asia and sub-Saharan
Africa, almost all rice is grown on small farms of 0.5−3 hectares.
Where rice is grown around the world - showing the three major rice growing environments.
Rice yields range from less than 1 ton per hectare under very poor rainfed conditions to more
than 10 t/ha in intensive temperate irrigated systems. Small, and in many areas shrinking, farm sizes
account for the low incomes of rice farm families.
Rice grows in a wide range of environments and is productive in many situations where other
crops would fail. Rice-growing environments are based on their hydrological characteristics and include
irrigated, rainfed lowland, and rainfed upland.
PHILRICE.GOV.PH
R&D PROGRAMS
Corporate Strategic Plan
PhilRice takes a holistic approach in attaining self-sufficiency. In our medium (2010-2013) and
long-term (2020) corporate plans, PhilRice focuses on helping to attain and sustain rice self-sufficiency;
reducing poverty and malnutrition; and achieving competitiveness in agricultural science and technology.
We have expanded the meaning of development to human development. More than helping the
country become rice sufficient, PhilRice pursues a more aggressive development work for our rice
farmers, addressing not just their yields, but all other equally important facets of their lives. Prioritzing the
consumers and our own rice workers, the Institute will help widen people’s choices; provide more options
on enjoying long, healthy, and decent life; and to further education or trainings of rice workers.

3. To achieve the goal of helping to sustain rice-self sufficiency, PhilRice is set to accomplish,
among others, the development of next-generation inbred and hybrid rice varieties, climate change-ready
varieties, and season and environment-focused technologies; and further improvement of production and
post-production machines.
Rice farming households will be trained to be entrepreneurs to help reduce poverty.
Furthermore, PhilRice will generate hybrid and inbred varieties with pro-vitamin A, high in zinc and iron,
and nutraceutical to help reduce malnutrition by 50 percent.
Promoting the welfare of the rice science workers, PhilRice will implement more dynamic staff
development plans and modernize its research and development facilities.
By making our work more innovative and our technologies on the cutting edge, we would achieve
more for the rice farmers and reach our ultimate goal – attaining rice self-sufficiency and sustaining it in
the years to come.
TRICHODERMA
Trichoderma is a genus of fungi that is present in all soils, where they are the most
prevalent culturable fungi. Many species in this genus can be characterized as opportunistic virulent plant
symbionts
Characteristics
Cultures are typically fast growing at 25-30°C, but will not grow at 35°C. Colonies are transparent
at first on media such as cornmeal dextrose agar (CMD) or white on richer media such as potato dextrose
agar (PDA). Mycelium are not typically obvious on CMD, conidia typically form within one week in
compact or loose tufts in shades of green or yellow or less frequently white. A yellow pigment may be
secreted into the agar, especially on PDA. Some species produce a characteristic sweet or 'coconut'
odor.
Conidiophores are highly branched and thus difficult to define or measure, loosely or compactly
tufted, often formed in distinct concentric rings or borne along the scant aerial hyphae. Main branches of
the conidiophores produce lateral side branches that may be paired or not, the longest branches distant
from the tip and often phialides arising directly from the main axis near the tip. The branches may
rebranch, with the secondary branches often paired and longest secondary branches being closest to the
main axis. All primary and secondary branches arise at or near 90° with respect to the main axis. The
typical Trichoderma conidiophores, with paired branches assumes a pyramidal aspect. Typically the
conidiophore terminates in one or a few phialides.

4. Habitat
Trichoderma species are frequently isolated from forest or agricultural soils at
all latitudes. Hypocrea species are most frequently found on bark or on decorticated wood but many
species grow on bracket fungi (e.g. H. pulvinata), Exidia (H. sulphurea) or bird's nest fungi (H. latizonata)
or agarics (H. avellanea).
Medical uses
Cyclosporine A (CsA), a calcineurin inhibitor produced by the fungi Trichoderma
polysporum and Cylindrocarpon lucidum, is an immunosuppressant prescribed in organ transplants to
prevent rejection.
Industrial use
Trichoderma, being a saprophyte adapted to thrive in diverse situations, produces a wide array of
enzymes. By selecting strains that produce a particular kind of enzyme, and culturing these in
suspension, industrial quantities of enzyme can be produced.
T. reesei is used to produce cellulase and hemicellulase
T. longibratum is used to produce xylanase
T. harzianum is used to produce chitinase.