Irga launched new rice cultivars in Brazil

Three new rice cultivars were launched by the Rio Grande do Sul Institute of Rice (Irga) at Expointer 2014, the agricultural expo occurs annually in Esteio city, in the southern state of Brazil. The varieties Irga 429, Irga 430, and Irga 424 RI were introduced, bringing the total number of 8 cultivars launched by the institute.

According to the president of Irga, Cláudio Pereira, the new cultivars offer more competitiveness to farmers. "All the varieties of Irga have three major characteristics: high productivity, good quality and resistance to major diseases", explained Pereira.

Irga's researcher and breeder Mara Lopes points out that Irga 429 and 430 are moderately resistant to blast (Magnaporthe grisea) in leaf and moderately susceptible to panicle blast, but resistant to iron toxicity in soil. They are characterized by good industrial quality and grains cooking.

The Irga 424 RI, according to her, shows resistance to herbicides Only and Kiflix, which belong to the chemical group of imidazolinone, being a management alternative to control red rice.