THE INTERNATIONAL RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE Annual Report 1965Rice, a member of the great family of grasses, produces a fruit that for hundreds of millions of people epitomises the difference between plenti- tude and scarcity, hunger and non-hunger, life and starvation. It is the staple diet for 60 percent of humanity. But in Asia, where 90 percent of all rice is grown and eaten, the weight of grain produced per unit area of farmland is, by world standards, disastrously low. The causes are by no means all technical; there are social and political aspects which are not proper subjects for study by the physical scientist. But it is true that crops are ravaged by diseases and pests; that some soils lack the nutrients essential for prolific growth; and that the cultural practices and the varieties grown are not necessarily the most suitable. Such impediments to greater abundance are sus- ceptible to agricultural research. It was the conviction that the food scarcity now menacing human life could be attacked suc- cessfully with the weapons of science that prompted the establishment of The Internation- al Rice Research Institute. The Institute is a joint venture by The Rocke- feller Foundation and The Ford Foundation in cooperation with the Government of the Philip- pines. It was incorporated in 1960 and dedicated in 1962 when the research program began. This document, the fourth annual report pub- lished by the Institute, describes in some detail the work performed during 1965, and, where possible, discusses the salient findings in rela- tion to the practical problems confronting the Asian rice farmer.NUTRIENT SOLUTIONS are used in physiological studies of the rice plant—see Plant Physiology (page 19-68).The International Rice Research Institute Los Bajios, Laguna, Philippines 1966 Annual Report 1965 x we * MAIL ADDRESS AND CITY OFFICE: IRRI, MANILA HOTEL, MANILA CABLE ADDRESS: RICEFOUNDContents Board of Trustees «0.2.2... weseesvisenerensescereeeee © Personnel ce 7 Institute Climate and Soils W Director's Introduction 15 Plant Physiology ... 19 Biochemistry .... 65 Cereal Chemistry 69 Varietal Improvement . 79 Plant Pathology . 107 Soil Chemistry .... 125 Soil Microbiology 167 Agronomy 184 Entomology . Agricultural Engineering seceeseeteestnseteesecensesees 267 Agricultural Economics Statistics Experimental Farm . Office of Communication Library and Documentation Center 337 International Activities 339 Publications and Seminars - 353Board of Trustees DR. FORREST F. HILL (Chairman) Consultant, The Ford Foundation U.S.A. DR. ROBERT F. CHANDLER, JR. Director, The International Rice Research Institute Philippines DR. RALPH W. CUMMINGS Field Director, Indian Agricultural Program ‘The Rockefeller Foundation India DR, SALA DASANANDA Director-General, Rice Department Ministry of Agriculture ‘Thailand DR. YOSHIAKI ISHIZUKA Faculty of Agriculture Hokkaido University Japan MR. FERNANDO E. LOPEZ Vice-President, Republic of the Philippines and Seeretary, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Philippines DR. N. PARTHASARATHY Regional Rice Specialist, Food and ‘Agriculture Organization ‘Thailand DR, CARLOS P, ROMULO President, University of the Philippines and Secretary, Department of Education Philippines DR. JUAN SALCEDO, JR. Chairman, National Science Development Board Philippines MR. P. N, THAPAR Vice Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University India DR, GLAUCO VIEGAS Director-General, Instituto Agronomico Secretaria da’ Agricultura do Estado de Sao Paulo BrazilPersonnel Administration ROBERT F, CHANDLER, JR., Ph.D., Director A. COLIN McCLUNG, Ph.D., Assistant Director JOSE D. DRILON, JR., B.A., B.LM., Executive Officer *AUSTINO M, SALACUP, BS.BA,, C. ‘Treasurer FOR B, SOLIDUM, Administrative Assistant* EDRO G. BANZON, LL.B., Administrative ‘Assistant ZOSIMO Q. PIZARRO, LL.B., Administrative Assistant, Plant Physiology AKIRA TANAKA, D.Agr., Plant. Physiolos BENITO S. VERGARA, Ph.D., Associate Plant Physiologist SYLVIA A. NAVASERO, MS., Assistant Plant Physiologist CONSOLACION V. GARCIA, B.S. Chem., Research Assistant FRANCISCO T. PARAO, B.S.A., Research Assistant, ROBERTO A. LILIS, B.S.A., Research Aide EMERITO A, RAMIREZ, B.S.A., Research ‘Aide Chemistry YASUO NATORI, Ph.D., Biochemist BIENVENIDO 0, JULIANO, Ph.D., Associate Chemist AURORA R, DEL ROSARIO, MS., Research ‘Assistant GLORIA B. CAGAMPANG, M.S,, Research ‘Assistant AUREA M. ALMAZAN, B.S. Chem., Research Assistant VIVIAN P. BRIONES, B.S. Chem. Research Assistant SALVADOR G. ESPIRITU, B.S. Chem., Research Assistant EVELYN P, PALMIANO, BS, Chem, Research ‘Assistant AIDA M. VELASQUEZ, M.S, Chem., Research Assistant AMANDA J. VIDAL, B.S. Chem., Research Assistant. Varietal Improvement PETER R. JENNINGS, Ph.D., Plant Breeder** HENRY M, BEACHELL, MS., Plant Breeder TE-TZU CHANG, Ph.D., Geneticist ELISEO A. BARDENAS, M.S., Assistant Taxonomist, EMELITA G. VELASCO, M. ‘Assistant RODOLFO C, AQUINO, B.S.A., Research Assistant, Research RIZAL M. HERRERA, B.S.A., Research ‘Assistant JOSE C, DE JESUS, BS.A., Research Assistant GENOVEVA C. LORESTO, B.S.A., Research Assistant LUCILA C, PARIAL, B.S, Chem., Research, ‘Assistant OSCAR 0, TAGUMPAY, B.S.A., Research ‘Assistant CARMEN M. PAULE, B.S.A., Research Aide HENRY P. CALLAO, B.S.A., Research Aide LIWAYWAY M, ENGLE, B.S.A,, Research Aide NORMITA M, MANAHAN, B.S.A., Research ‘Aide *Left during year **On study leave until July 10, 1965Plant Pathology SHU-HUANG OU, Ph.D. Plant Pathologist TOSI TAKE IIDA, Ph.D., Visiting Scientist* JOHN L. NICKEL, Ph.D., Visiting Scientist KEH CHI LING, Ph.D., Associate Plant Pathologist CELESTINO T. RIVERA, M.S,, Assistant Virologist PRISCILLA T. CHINTE, M.S., Research Assistant FAUSTO L, NUQUE, MS. Research Assistant TORIBIO T. EBRON, JR. B.S.A., Research Assistant, MANUEL K, PALOMAR, B.S.A., Research Assistant, JOSELITO P. SILVA, B.S.A., Research Assistant SONIA P. EBRON, B.S.M. Tech., Laboratory Aide Soil Chemistry FELIX N. PONNAMPERUMA, Ph.D., Soil ‘Chemist ZENAIDA E, BUGAY, MS., Research ‘Assistant RUBY U. CASTRO, B.S. Chem., Research ‘Assistant TERESITA A. LOY, B.S. Chem. Research ‘Assistant ESTRELLA G. MARTINEZ, B.S. Chem., Research Assistant ELSA P, REYES, B.S. Chem., Research “Assistant ANTONIO P. TIANCO, B.S. Chem., Research Assistant Soil Microbiology IAN C, MACRAE, Ph.D., Microbiologist ROSABEL R. ANCAJAS, B.S.A., Research ‘Assistant TERESITA F. CASTRO, B.S. Chem, Research Assistant Agronomy JAMES C, MOOMAW, Ph.D., Agronomist 8, K, DE DATTA, Ph.D., Associate Agronomist YOSHIRO SHIMAZAKI, Ph.D., Visiting Scientist* RICHARD B. BRADFIELD, Ph.D., Agronomist ROY J. SMITH, Ph.D., Visiting Scientist* PABLO G, BALDAZO, B.S.A., Research Assistant RUBEN S. DAYRIT, B.S.A., Research ‘Assistant EMMANUEL T. FLORESCA, B.S.A., Research Assistant CARMELITA P. MAGNAYE, B.S. Chem., Research Assistant VIRGILIO P, NOVERO, B.S.A., Research Assistant Entomology MANO D. PATHAK, Ph.D., Entomologist HONG YIP YOUNG, MS., Visiting Scientist? FAUSTO L, ANDRES, B.S.A., Research Assistant GERARDO B. AQUINO, B.S.A., Research ‘Assistant JOSE I, CALDERON, BS. Assistant ., Research, NATIVIDAD B. GALACGAG, B.S.A., Research Assistant SUSAN R. HIZON, B.S. Chem., Research “Assistant EDWIN 8. RAROS, B.S.A,, Research Assistant ELYMAR V. VEA, B.$.A,, Research Assistant CARLOS R, VEGA, B.S.A., Research Assistant “Left during year. }Arrived during year. 8Agricultural Engineering LOYD JOHNSON, M.S., Agricultural Engineer EMILIO 0. CASEM, M.S., Assistant Agricultural Engineer ANTERO S. MANALO, BS.A., Research Assistant RODOLFO D. REYES, B.S.A., Research ‘Assistant ELISEO L, RUIZ, B.S.A., Research Aide PELICIANO C, JALOTJOT, Draftsman Agricultural Economies VERNON W. RUTTAN, Ph.D., Agricultural ‘Reonomist® YASUMITSU IENAGA, Ph.D., Visiting Scientistt MAHAR MANGAHAS, M.A., Research Assistant, ERNESTO C, VENEGAS, B.S.A., Research, Assistant Statisties BURTON T. ONATE, Ph.D., Statistician FABIAN G, ESPIRITU, B.S.A,, Research ‘Assistant ROSALINDA A, ALICBUSAN, BS.A., Statistical Aide FLORENCIO A. ARICA, B. Statistical Aide Econ. Experimental Farm FEDERICO V. RAMOS, M.S., Farm Superintendent ORLANDO G, SANTOS, BS.A., Assistant Farm Superintendent JUAN M, LAPIZ, B.S.A., Research Aide FILOMENO 0. LANTING, B.S.A., Research Aide EUSTACIO U, RAMIREZ, B.S.A., Research ‘Aide FERNANDO H, OCAMPO, B.S.M. Assistant Communication FRANCIS C. BYRNES, Ph.D., Communication Specialist WILLIAM G, GOLDEN, JR., M.S., Rice Production Specialist E, A. JACKSON, B. Ag. Sci, Editor? ARTHUR A. MUKA, PhD., Visiting Scientist FRANCISCO D, GORREZ, JR., BS.A., Administrative Assistant ROGELIO D. FELICIANO, A.B., Assistant Editor CORAZON V. MENDOZA, Litt. B., Editorial Assistant INOCENCIO C. BOLO, B.S.A., Research Assistant ARNULFO ©, DEL ROSARIO, BS.A., Artist Mlustrator FEDERICO M. GATMAITAN, JR., Artist Illustrator EDITO 8. RUFON, Multilith Operator CECILIO L. PALACPAG, JR., Assistant Multilith Operator URBITO T, ONGLEO, B. FELICIANO J. TOYHACAO, Assistant Photographer ANTONIO 0, VALENCIA, Assistant Photographer ++ Photographer Library and Documentation Center LINA D. MANALO, MS., Chief Librarian CARMELITA 8. AUSTRIA, B.L.S., ADELINA D, FERRER, BS.E., Librarian MILA C, MEDINA, B.L. GLORIA S$. QUIROS, A.B., BS Librarian MILAGROS C. ZAMORA, M.S, Bibliographer GREGORIO A. ARDALES, Binder brarian Librarian 28. JUKYO CHO, Ph.D., Translator (in Japan) ETSUKO TAKEYOSHI, Bibliographer (in Japan) “Left during year Arrived during yearFood and Dormitory Services REBECCA C. PASCUAL, M.S., Manager* NENITA C. ESGUERRA, B.S.H.E., Acting ‘Manager ESTER P. NOVERO, BS. Home Tech., Acting Assistant Manager EMILIA A, AQUINO, E.T.C., Matron CHITA A. GUERRERO, BS.N., Junior ‘Matron AURORA T. VERGARA, B.S. Home Tech., Junior Matron MARCIANA V. CUYNO, B.S. Home Tech., Pood Supervisor ROSE MARIE A, DANS, B.S, Home Tech., ‘Food Supervisor ESTELA G. DIVINAGRACIA, B.S. Nutrition, Food Supervisor 10 ROSARIO B, CUMAGUN, A.B.H.E., Food ‘Supervisor VIOLETA C, MERCADO, B.S.F.N., Assistant Food Supervisor PRIMO D. RUZON, Chef Buildings and Grounds HERMENEGILDO G. NAVARRO, B.S.M.E. Superintendent of Property VICTOR T. ARANEZ, Assistant to the Superintendent RIZALINO T. DILAG, JR., B.S.A., Ground ‘Superintendent EDUARDO B. VILLASANTA, BS.CE., Assoc. in Surv., Buildings Superintendent ‘Left during yearInstitute Climate and Soil The International Rice Research In- stitute is adjacent to the College of Ag- riculture, University of the Philippines, at Los Bafios, Laguna, on the island of Luzon, It is 65 kilometers (40 miles) southeast of Manila, at 14° 10' N, 121° 15! E, and 127 feet above sea level. The experimental fields embrace 146 ha of poorly drained and almost flat land at the base of Mount Makiling, a tree-clad voleanic cone. ‘As in many tropical rice-growing re- gions, the year is divided into regularly alternating and fairly distinet wet and dry seasons. Climatic data, collected by the College of Agriculture and present- ed in Table 1, show that the wet season at the Institute normally lasts from May to November, and although some rain may be expected from December to April, neither the amount nor the re~ liability’ are sufficient for rain-fed crops; this period of five months is therefore regarded as the dry season. ‘Mean daily temperatures range from about 25 C in January to nearly 29 C at the commencement of the wet season in May. Average monthly values for rela- tive humidity also rise during the wet season, reaching a maximum of 86% in August. Typhoons, bringing heavy rain and strong winds, may be expected from as early as April until December. Those ex- perienced during the later part of the season cause widespread lodging of rice crops. The average frequency of typhoons at Los Bafios between 1959 and 1964 is shown in Fig. 1. Solar radiation, now recognized as an agriculturally important climatic factor in the tropics, has been measured by the College of Agriculture since 1959. The short-term means give quantitative ex- pression to the pronounced cloudiness during the wet season, particularly to- ward its end when crops are nearing harvest, In Figs. 2 and 3 average rainfall and solar radiation are compared with the amounts received in 1964 and 1965. Whereas 1964 recorded above-average rainfall, particularly in June and No- vember when typhoons brought heavy ‘TaBLe 1. Climatic averages, Los Bafios, Laguna, Philippines. ‘Solar Mean daily ‘Relative _—_radiation Rainfall Number of temperature humidity (g-cal/em*) (in) rainy days (ec) (%) (1959-65) January 28 12 25.1 84 9,140 February ql 6 25.7 8 10,060 March 12 7 27.0 8 11,790 April 16 5 28.5 76 14,850 May 62 aw 28.7 8 13,680 Tune 83 Ww 28.0 84 11,890 July aa 20 276 85 10,710 August 109 Ww 218 86 11,180 September 102 19 272 84 10,000 October 99 vw 26.7 85 31,040 November 1.0 Ww 26.2 84 9,580 ‘December iW 254 85 8,140 Pecember OB nu12 Institute Climate and Soil Average Number of Typhoon - days per month FoM AM Fig. 1. Laguna (1959-64). falls, 1965 was comparatively dry and free of typhoons. In both years solar radiation toward the end of the wet sea- son was below the 1959-65 average, The soils of the experimental fields were mapped and classified in 1962 by the Bureau of Soils, Philippine Depart- ment of Agriculture and Natural Re- sources, The following account is based on the Bureau's report and subsequent laboratory examination by scientists at the Institute. The soil cover is believed to have formed mainly from the underlying i Roinfall (in) voA S O ND Average frequency of occurrence of typhoon-days within 150 miles of Los Bafios, tuffs derived from Mount Makiling dur- ing a previous period of active eruption ‘A portion of the material, however, may be alluvium weathered’ from similar tuffs on the adjacent slopes. Two soil types of the same series, the Maahas clay (also known as Calumpang clay) and the Maahas clay loam, are re- cognized. Both types are further sub- divided into three phases based on the effective depths of soil that may be ex- pected to be available to plant root: Thus, apart from the normal. phase, each ‘type is classified into moderately Fig. 2. Monthly distribution of rainful, Los Bafios, Laguna, Philippines.Institute Climate and Soil 13 shallow and shallow phases having 50 to 90 cm and 25 to 50 em of effective soil respectively. The normal Maahas clay is a dark- colored soil with hydromorphic fea- Fig. 3. Monthly distribution of solar radia- tion, Los Bafios, Laguna, Philippines. tures. The surface (pH 6-7) is a grayish-brown to black clay which, al- though sticky and plastic when wet, be- comes cracked into hard compact clods upon drying. X-ray diffraction studies at the College of Agriculture have shown that the dominant mineral is montmorillonite. The subsoil, occurri at from 25 to 40 em, is lighter color and, toward the bottom, mottled with light brown and gray. Manganese and tuffaceous coneretions are also present in the lower portions of the horizon. The substratum, encountered at from 60 to 140 cm, is grayish brown to brown clay which merges with the underlying tuff. Analytical data on the surface hor- izon are presented in Table 2. Apart from surface texture, the Ma- ahas clay loam is similar to the Maahas clay, although it is usually found on slightly higher ground where external drainage is less restricted. Grading operations have caused some areas of soil which were naturally shal- low to become critically so. The consoli- dated tuff has been exposed and mixed with the surrounding soil in some places, causing some variability in com- position and probably fertility also. TABLE 2. Chemical properties of the surface horizon of the Maahas clay, IRI. pHe Organic ‘Total Pb Cation Exchangeable cations¢ matter N (ppm) exchange (me/100 g) (%) (%) capacity = ——— —_—_ . _ (me/100g) Ca Mg_—Na 0 od 20 45 W4 188 4208 11, soil:water; > Extracted with 0.02 N H,SO,; © Extracted acetate and analyzed by flame spectrophotometer. ith neutral ammonium14Direetor’s Introduction One of the important achievements of the year was the identification of certain selections from the Institute’s breeding program which were suffi- ciently outstanding to warrant. testing throughout the tropical and sub-tropical rice-growing regions. Most of the selec- tions sent to other areas have been in the F6 or F7 generation. Although by the end of 1965 more than 570 crosses had been made, it was only the progeny of crosses made in 1962 that had be- come sufficiently stable to permit ap- propriate evaluation and widespread testing. ‘The three selections that seemed particularly outstanding under Philip- pine conditions and, at this stage, espe- cially on the Experimental Farm, are TR8-288-3, IR9-60, and IR5-47-2. It happens that each’ of these three lines have the variety Peta as one of the parents. Peta is a tall, tropical indica Variety with high vigor, seed dormancy, and resistance to certain important dis- eases. It was developed in Indonesia but is now one of the Seed Board varieties in the Philippines. One of the best selections resulting from the crossing of Peta with Dee- geo-woo-gen (a short indica variety from Taiwan) was IR8-288-3. This line has high yielding ability, some resist- ance io the tungro virus disease, is short and nitrogen responsive, and has desirable cooking and eating qualities. The crossing of Peta with I-geo-tze, another short indica from Taiwan, also produced a promising selection, IR9-60. It has fairly high seed dormancy, is short (95 cm high), non-lodging, and nitrogen responsive. In many trials it has yielded between 6,000 and 7,000 kg/ha under good management. The IR5-47-2 selection is a cross be- tween Peta and Tankai Rotan, a. rela- tively tall indica variety from Malay- sia, selected as a parent because it was not as tall as most indicas and, in early trials, appeared to be vigorous and non- photoperiod-sensitive. The IR-5-47-2 is a line of medium height (188 em) and maturity (132 days), and appears to be rather resistant to the tungro virus dis- ease and to bacterial leaf blight, In recent preliminary yield trials, it has produced over 6.5 metric tons per hec- tare in the monsoon season. It is now being widely tested in Southeast Asia. It is perhaps no coincidence that these three outstanding selections are pure indicas; there are no japonica varieties in their ancestry. They have high seedling vigor (specifically high tillering ability) and superior qualities of disease resistance, characteristies which perhaps are more easily obtained from crossing indicas with indicas. In any case, it seems clear that the breeding program of the Institute could not have made such rapid strides in the early stages if the short indicas from Taiwan with the single recessive gene for short- ness had not existed. The varietal improvement program has developed a series of lines with a desirable plant type, rather good grain qualities, and high yielding ability. The big. task ahead is to introduce disease resistance into the already established selections, particularly resistance to bacterial leaf blight, the tungro virus disease, and the rice blast disease, the latter resistance to be as broad as pos- sible because of the various physiolo- gical races. During 1965, much of the basic work was completed on the gamma isomer of benzene hexachloride (lindane) as a systemic insecticide for rice stem borer control. It has been generally estab- lished that, under Philippine conditions, when this insecticide is applied to the irrigation water every 30 days at the 15