UKMRC-2

BRIEF TECHNOLOGY

UKMRC-2 is a new rice variety produced through advanced backcross quantitative trait loci strategy between a wild rice species, Oryza rufipogon and a cultivated rice variety Oryza sativa subspecies indica cv MR219. UKMRC-2 has high yield, high submergence tolerance, good resistance to blast disease and high milling recovery.

INSPIRATION OF THE INVENTION

This variety was introduced to increase rice yield and as an alternative variety to existing varieties in Malaysia.

PROBLEM STATEMENT & CURRENT ISSUES

The yield and quality of paddy mainly depend on genotype, environmental conditions and agronomic practices. Abiotic stresses, such as unpredictable rainfall patterns leading to drought and submergence and salinity of the soil, can strongly reduce crop performance with crop yield losses ranging from 50% to 70%. Flooding causes submergence and damage rice crops. Besides, in Malaysia the land with suitable soil is limited for rice cultivation. The land usage must be optimized by planting paddy varieties with high yield and good rice quality.

INVENTIVENESS  & NOVELTY

• Resistance to blast disease
• High submergence tolerance 
• High yield
• Intermediate plant height give lodging resistance
• High milling recovery

USEFULNESS & APPLICATION

Planting UKMRC-2 with high submergence tolerance can help farmers to reduce losses due to unpredictable flooding. With good agronomic practices, loss of yield due to pests and diseases can be reduced with UKMRC-2. Besides, its high yield in farmer’s fields, millers can get high rice recovery. 

IMPACT OF THE PRODUCT

• New Intellectual Property (NPV) with Registration Number PBR0028
• Provide more varieties for farmers to choose. 
• Help to increase Malaysia’s self sufficiency level (SSL) target for rice production.
• Safeguard the country’s food security, while reducing its dependency on imported rice.

MARKET POTENTIAL 

The Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry (MAFI) is raising Malaysia’s self-sufficient level (SSL) target for rice production to 75% by 2025. Malaysia’s rice consumption has been increasing and expected to continue rising. The total rice production can be increased through high yielding varieties. Certified seeds of UKMRC-2 were approved in April 2018. It has been distributed to rice farmers in Malaysia mainly by MadaCorp, Pertama Padi, Felcra and Persatuan Peladang Kawasan Lahar Bubu since October 2019.

TRL :  9