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primefact
Rice variety guide – 2014–15
October 2014, Primefact 1112, 4th edition
David Troldahl, Research & Development
Agronomist Southern Irrigated Cropping
Systems, Yanco
Peter Snell, Research Agronomist, Yanco
Laura Pallas, Cereal Chemist, Yanco
Ben Ovenden, Research Agronomist,
Yanco
Before choosing a rice variety it is important to
consider potential yield and varietal characteristics.
Tables 1 and 2 summarise the characteristics for
each of the varieties that are currently available for
commercial production in south-eastern Australia.
• Consider climatic conditions and the grain
development stage to determine the appropriate
time for draining
Each year NSW DPI reviews variety performance,
taking into account commercial and research
experience. This Factsheet summarises current
knowledge.
The following table (Table 1) provides a summary of
the grain yields achieved in the 2013–14 rice season
compared with the 10 year average.
Variety Performance 2013–14
Key Checks for variety performance
• Sow on time – within the recommended window for
each variety. Please note the recommended sowing
date for the new variety TopazA.
• Apply sufficient pre-flood N to achieve the target
N uptake range at PI
• Use NIR analysis to determine PI topdressing N
fertiliser requirements (consider imagery or cut/fill
maps to assist sampling)
• Deep water at microspore is recommended for
ALL varieties
The 2013–14 season got off to a slow start, with
below average temperatures in October and
November and with around average temperatures
in December. The season changed dramatically
with temperatures well above average for all of
January and into February. The average date for PI
in 2013–2014 was 8 January, which was 3 days later
than the previous season. The critical microspore
period occurred on average around 21 January, with
temperatures above average during this period.
The weather then cooled for grain filling and draining.
Unfortunately wet weather around maturity led to
a wetter harvest than normal which may also have
affected grain quality in the later harvested crops.
Table1: Summary of rice yields (t/ha) 2013–14 season and 10 year averages by region
REGION
Variety
MIA
CIA
EMV
WMV
All Regions
10 yr Av 2013–14 10 yr Av 2013–14 10 yr Av 2013–14 10 yr Av 2013–14 10 yr Av 2013–14
A
10.8
12.1
9.9
10.8
9.2
10.4
9.0
10.1
10.1
11.1
Sherpa
11.5
11.4
10.8
11.0
10.4
10.9
9.6
10.5
10.6
10.9
Koshihikari 8.6* n/a
7.6* n/a
7.8
7.7
6.6
6.9
7.3
7.3
10.0* n/a
7.8* n/a
9.3
10.4
8.5
10.0
8.9
10.1
Illabong
9.9* n/a
10.2*
n/a
10.0
11.5
8.3
n/a
10.1
11.5
Langi
9.1
10.0
8.5
9.4
8.4
9.1
7.7
n/a
8.8
9.7
Doongara
10.5
10.1
9.4
9.0
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
9.9
9.4
Kyeema
8.5
9.0
7.6
8.8
6.5* n/a
n/a
n/a
8.0
8.8
Topaz
9.8* 9.8
n/a
n/a
7.3* 7.3* n/a
n/a
9.5* 9.5*
9.4
10.2
9.1
10.0
9.4
Reiziq
Opus
A
A
A
All Varieties 10.0
11.2
* Yield data based on limited production.
A
10.5
8.0
10.5
Plant Breeder’s Right granted by IP Australia.
w w w . d p i . n s w . g o v. a u
Rice variety guide
Rice variety guide
Table 2. Rice variety agronomic characteristics 2014–15
VARIETY
Plant Type and
Grain Type
MATURITY1
Days later or
earlier to flower
than Reiziq
Standard
MIA/CIA
10–25 Oct
Murray Valley
10–20 Oct
SHERPAA
Semi-dwarf
medium grain
5–10 days less
25 Oct–5 Nov
KOSHIHIKARI
Tall strawed
short grain
Same
OPUSA
Semi-dwarf
short grain
ILLABONG
Semi-dwarf
‘arborio’
medium grain
LANGI
Semi-dwarf
long grain
SEEDLING
VIGOUR3
COMMENTS
RELATIVE5
TOLERANCE
TO COLD
STRESS
2
LODGING6
3Z
NITROGEN4
FERTILISER
Compared to
Reiziq kg N/ha
Standard
Resistant
North
100
South
100
20–31Oct
3Z
Same as Reiziq
5
Resistant
105
105
10–31 Oct
5–25 Oct
3
4
Susceptible
70–85
70–85
Same
10–31 Oct
10–25 Oct
3
Up to 60 kg less
for MIA/CIA
60–90 kg less for
Murray Valley
Same as Reiziq
4
Moderately
susceptible
90–100
90–100
Same
15 Oct–5 Nov
15–31 Oct
2
Same as Reiziq
3
Resistant
105
105
5–10 days less
5–31 Oct
5–25 Oct
2
Same as Reiziq
3
Resistant
90–95
90–95
DOONGARA
Semi-dwarf
long grain
5–10 days less
5–25 Oct
Not
recommended
2
Up to 20 kg less
1
Very resistant
85–95
Not
recommended
KYEEMA
Tall strawed
‘fragrant’
long grain
9–12 days less
5–31 Oct
5–25 Oct
2
Up to 60 kg less
than Reiziq
2
Slightly
susceptible
80–85
80–85
TOPAZA
Semi-dwarf
‘fragrant’
long grain
5–10 days less
5–31 Oct
5–25 Oct
2
Same as Langi
3
Moderately
resistant
90–95
90–95
REIZIQ
Semi-dwarf
medium grain
A
IDEAL2 SOWING TIME
for Aerial Sowing
YIELD POTENTIAL7
% Reiziq
A semi-dwarf variety that is easy threshing and therefore more inclined to shed like Langi.
Wholegrain yields are relatively high. Keeping to recommended sowing windows and
nitrogen rates is essential to protect against cold temperatures at microspore.
A shorter season semi-dwarf variety with similar yield to Illabong.
It has significantly better cold tolerance than Reiziq with 2–4 t/ha greater yield in cold
seasons, particularly in the Murray Valley. A hard threshing variety with good straw strength
hence low lodging risk. Plant at the recommended sowing time and harvest at 20–22%
moisture to maximise wholegrain yields.
Tall strawed and susceptible to lodging, particularly if over fertilised. Lower yielding, similar
to Kyeema. Reduce pre-flood nitrogen and fertilise as for Kyeema or 30 kg N less, with
no more than 66% of total nitrogen applied pre-flood to minimise lodging. Susceptible to
straighthead, although symptoms present as floret sterility. Very pubescent variety.
A semi-dwarf short grain variety with grain quality similar to the Japanese variety
Koshihikari. Susceptible to straighthead although symptoms present as floret sterility. More
likely to lodge than Reiziq. Very pubescent variety. Fertilise as for Reiziq. Murray Valley
experience generally indicates good yields but it can occasionally be unpredictable.
An earlier maturing semi-dwarf ‘Arborio type’ medium grain. It has high yield potential,
around 5% higher than Reiziq. Sowing rates should be increased by 20% or as
recommended at point of issue, as it has larger seeds and germination is highly influenced
by post flowering conditions experienced by the seed crop
A semi-dwarf long grain variety. It is lower yielding than Reiziq. It is earlier maturing than
Reiziq if sown at recommended times. Langi has lower seedling vigour than medium grain
varieties, particularly under cool conditions. Similar nitrogen rates to Reiziq should be applied
to achieve full yield potential. Early harvest is recommended as it is a loose threshing variety
with potential for shedding if allowed to stand in the field.
Semi-dwarf long grain. This variety has high yield potential however it is the most sensitive
to microspore cold stress so it is important to sow on time and protect with deep water. Has
good lodging resistance. Recommended for lighter soils in the north. Performs best when
managed well on high fertility fields.
A tall strawed fragrant long grain variety of similar maturity to Langi, but with lower yield
potential. In cool seasons and/or with late sowings maturity can be similar or later than
Langi. Poor seedling vigour, particularly in a cool spring. Nitrogen fertiliser applications need
to be managed to minimise lodging.
Semi-dwarf fragrant long grain with a similar maturity to Langi. TopazA has a 11–15% yield
advantage over Kyeema and has the advantage of being semi-dwarf therefore nitrogen
application should be similar to Langi.
A
Plant Breeder’s Right granted by IP Australia.
Maturity – at recommended sowing times, in normal seasons and at correct nitrogen rates. Long grain varieties normally gain a couple of additional days from flowering to harvest against Reiziq.
Ideal Sowing Time – based on aerial sowing. When drill sowing aim for the first flush up to 5 days earlier than the aerial sowing date. Sowing more than 10 days after the latest date is not recommended.
3
Seedling Vigour – on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 is weakest and 5 is strongest. Z – Zinc has shown to improve plant stands in heavily cut areas.
4
Nitrogen Fertiliser – use the split nitrogen strategy and higher rates in northern areas where the risk of cold temperature induced sterility is lower.
5
Tolerance to Low Reproductive Temperatures – on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 is most susceptible, 5 is most tolerant. NB tolerance is based on both the inherent variety tolerance and the ability to be protected with deep water at microspore. Semi-dwarf varieties are most easily protected by deep water.
6
Lodging – lodging varies between seasons. In some seasons most varieties will lodge to some extent, even resistant ones.
7
Yield Potential – based on trial results compared to Reiziq at recommended sowing times and normal seasons.
1
2
Table 3. Rice variety grain quality characteristics*#
VARIETY*
REIZIQA Medium grain
Bold medium grain for premium markets
6.6
3
28.7
Low
Intermediate
GELATINISATION
TEMPERATUREe
Low
Soft
DESIRABLE GRAIN
PROTEIN (%)g
Intermediate
SHERPA Medium grain
KOSHIHIKARI Short grain
Traditional Calrose style medium grain
5.8
2.9
23.9
Low
Intermediate
Low
Soft
Intermediate
A soft-textured Japanese variety for short
grain cuisine such as sushi
Grain quality and end use equivalent to the
Japanese variety Koshihikari
This Arborio (high chalk) variety is ideal for
risotto and paella style cuisine
Soft cooking long grain
Firm cooking, long grain variety with lower
glycemic index (GI)
Jasmine-style variety with characteristic
‘popcorn’ fragrance and soft texture
Jasmine-style variety with characteristic
‘popcorn’ fragrance and soft texture
5.5
2.8
21.9
Low
Intermediate
Low
Soft
Low
5.3
2.9
22.5
Low
Intermediate
Low
Soft
Low
6.3
3.4
32.2
High
Intermediate
Low
Soft
Intermediate
7.7
7.4
2.2
2.2
22.6
21.7
Low
Low
Intermediate
High
High
Intermediate
Soft
Firm
Intermediate
Intermediate
7.3
2.0
21.1
Low
Intermediate
High
Soft
Intermediate
7.6
2.2
21.7
Low
Intermediate
Low
Soft
Intermediate
A
OPUSA Short grain
ILLABONG Medium grain
LANGI Long grain
DOONGARA Long grain
KYEEMA Long grain
TOPAZA Long grain
KEY QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS
AV LENGTHa (mm)
Plant Breeder’s Right granted by IP Australia.
Average Length and Average Width of brown wholegrain can vary with season and nitrogen management.
b
Thousand grain weight as determined by drying paddy to 3% grain moisture, inferences regarding seeding
rate should not be made from this statistic.
A
a
p 2 NSW Department of Primary Industries 2014
AV WIDTHa (mm)
1000 GRAIN WTb (g)
CHALKc
AMYLOSE CONTENTd
Chalk is the opaque belly of the grain caused by high temperatures but only desirable in Arborio styled rice
such as Illabong.
d
Amylose are long linear starch molecules that contribute to textural properties and GI ratings of cooked rice.
e
Gelatinisation Temperature is the temperature at which crystalline starch melts and is related to cooking time,
water uptake upon cooking and so textural properties of cooked rice.
f
Gel consistency is used to describe the texture of cooked rice.
c
GEL CONSISTENCYf
Grain Protein also contributes to the overall texture of cooked rice. For Opus and Koshihikari a lower milled
grain protein content ensures a soft-cooking grain.
*Varieties can be differentiated by a suite of molecular markers used in the Pure Seed Program to determine
varietal purity.
#
For more information please see Rice Grain Quality Factsheet at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/broadacre/
summer-crops/rice/cereal-quality
g
NSW Department of Primary Industries 2014 p 3
Rice variety guide
ReiziqA and SherpaA industry wide both yielded on
average over 0.5 tonne/ha more than the 2012–2013
season. Yields of most varieties were up and the
industry average over all varieties and all regions was
10.5 t/ha, compared to 10.2 t/ha in 2012–2013.
The later sowing of most crops as suggested in
last years variety guide moved the average PI date
further into January and highlights the importance of
sowing the varieties within the recommended sowing
windows. This enables PI to occur at the optimum
time most years and microspore at a time when low
temperature risk is minimised.
Variety management considerations
Some important general management considerations are
listed below. However it is also important to consider the
Ricecheck recommendations when planning a rice crop.
Maturity: The relative maturity of rice varieties will vary
between seasons and with growing conditions. In some
situations maturity comparisons will be later or earlier
than those indicated, which are the average expected for
recommended sowing times, in normal seasons and when
appropriately fertilised.
Planting: Sowing at the recommended times for each
variety will help ensure good yields in warm and cool
seasons. In cooler seasons later than recommended
sowings usually results in major yield losses and the same
can also apply if sowing too early. Early to late October is
the ideal sowing time for consistent high yields, depending
upon variety, geographic area, method of sowing, and
soil type. The shorter season variety SherpaA, although
sown later, should still be sown at the recommended times
ensuring grain ripening and maturity occur close to normal
times. It should be noted that aerial sown crops reach PI
faster than drill sown crops and this should be taken into
account when determining sowing date.
Nutrition: Insufficient zinc has been linked to poor crop
stands particularly in heavily cut areas of calcareous soils.
Serious zinc deficiencies can kill rice seedlings outright,
even if other nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen
are adequate. Optimum nitrogen rates are essential to
produce consistent high yields of all varieties and to
achieve the full yield potential of the semi dwarf varieties.
Sufficient nitrogen should be applied pre-flood to achieve
the nitrogen uptake targets at PI for each variety. Refer
to the Ricecheck recommendations for these guidelines.
Additional nitrogen can be applied at PI if required. NIR
Tissue Testing can be used to accurately determine the N
requirement at PI. Consider the use of aerial imagery or
cut/fill maps to aid the sampling process. This will avoid
the problems of over or under fertilising.
Cold: The relative tolerance of varieties to low
temperatures during the reproductive phase (causing
cold stress and increased sterility) is an important varietal
feature. Excess nitrogen increases the susceptibility of
all varieties to cold induced sterility. Maintaining deep
water (minimum of 25 cm on the high side of the bay)
at the microspore stage can significantly reduce the
damage from cold stress. Tall‑strawed varieties such as
Kyeema are more difficult to protect with deep water at
the microspore stage, whilst semi-dwarf varieties like
Doongara, (which is more sensitive to low temperatures)
can be given effective protection.
p 4 NSW Department of Primary Industries 2014
Increasing water depth prematurely at PI will cause the
shoot airspaces to elongate excessively and reduce the
degree of protection at the microspore stage.
Lodging: The occurrence of lodging varies between
varieties and between seasons. All varieties will lodge
under some conditions. The semi dwarf varieties are
most resistant to lodging, whilst tall-strawed varieties like
Kyeema and Koshihikari are more susceptible.
Yield: All current rice varieties, except Kyeema
and Koshihikari, have a high yield potential. Good
management will give yields of 9 to 13 t/ha. The semi
dwarf varieties have higher yield potential and respond
better to high crop nutrition and deep water management
at microspore.
Herbicide tolerance: Long grains, particularly
Doongara and Kyeema may be more susceptible to
damage from some of the herbicide programs currently
recommended to overcome herbicide resistance. This is
particularly so for multiple applications of Saturn® and/
or molinate. In addition, clomazone can be damaging to
the variety Illabong. Care should be taken to read the
labels of all herbicides used and pay attention to the
recommendations for herbicide application. If in doubt,
consult your advisor or the Rice Crop Protection Guide.
Quality: Current commercial varieties in Table 3 satisfy the
diversity of rice consumed. Beyond variety, the greatest
impacts on grain quality are temperature during grain
filling (lower wholegrain yield and increased chalk) and
field nutrition (excess N leads to yellow milled rice and
firmer texture). Hence, recommended sowing, harvest
dates (with moisture at 20–22%) and nutrition have been
established on the basis of agronomic performance as well
as optimised grain quality that reflect each quality class.
© State of New South Wales through the Department of Trade and
Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services 2014. You may
copy, distribute and otherwise freely deal with this publication for any
purpose, provided that you attribute the Department of Trade and
Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services as the owner.
ISSN 1832-6668, Replaces Primefact 1112, 3rd edition.
Check for updates of this Factsheet at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/
aboutus/resources/factsheets
The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge
and understanding at the time of writing (October 2014). However,
because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need
to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date and to
check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of the
NSW Department of Primary Industries or the user’s independent
adviser. Published by the NSW Department of Primary Industries,
a part of the Department of Trade and Investment, Regional
Infrastructure and Services.
Product names: The product trade names in this publication are
supplied on the understanding that no preference between equivalent
products is intended and that the inclusion of a product name does
not imply endorsement by the Department over any equivalent product
from another manufacturer.
Always read the label: Users of agricultural chemicals must always
read the label, and any permit before using the product, and strictly
comply with the directions on the label and any permit.
Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the
label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made
or omitted to be made in this publication.
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