Validated Rice Cultivars for Rice-based Systems of the Northern Mountainous Region, Lao PDR to The 15 th NAFRI Anniversary Symposium on Agriculture and Forestry Research for Development Validated Rice Cultivars for Rice-based Systems of the Northern Mountainous Region, Lao PDR to The 15 th NAFRI Anniversary Symposium on Agriculture and Forestry Research for Development April 9 th -10 th, 2014 at NAFRI meeting hall, Vientiane, Lao PDR by Khamdok SONGIYKHANGSUTHOR Houmchitsavath SODARAK, Koung DOUANGSILA, Benjamin. K. SAMSON

Introduction Laos achieved rice self-sufficiency in 1999 ◦ But upland farmers and households are still rice-deficient Uplands of Lao PDR are located in northern part and along the Laos-Vietnamese border - central and southern regions. Uplands also provide a range of agro-ecological that enable farmers to grow cash crops, paper mulberry, cassava, beans, and other crops Farmers with more lowland had better food security than farmers with lest lowland. ◦ 73% of households reported at least 1 year of rice deficiency in 10 years ( ). ◦ Only 17% of households with lowland reported at least one year of rice deficiency during the same period

Rice in livelihoods Upland rice areas in northern Laos comprised to 57 % of total rice production areas. ◦ Rice remains a major crop in the mountainous ◦ But rice’s share in household income is small and declining Rural non-farm activities a major source of household incomes Improved technologies that can increases rice yield or income

Crop diversifications in upland environments

Geography of Laos Area of 236,800 sq km 80% of the country is mountainous;. Many mountains are >2000 m in height. Seventeen provinces and one capital Three region; North, Central and South

Rational of the studies Lack of high quality seeds, Limited access to public services and advanced technologies Poorly developed transport and irrigation Marketing infrastructures

Research Areas Phongsali Lung Namtha Bokeo Oudomxai Houaphan Sayaboury Luang Prabang Xieng Khouang

Materials Multi-environment yield trials ◦ Eight provinces of the northern region of Lao PDR: Sayabuly, LuangPrabang, Oudomxai, LuangNamtha, Bokeo, Phongsaly, Houaphanh, and Xiengkhuang. ◦ Elevation of field sites ranged from 300 m to 1300 m. 7 lines and cultivars were used ◦ Laboun, Non, Nok, and Makhinsoung - traditional cultivars ◦ IR , B6144F-MR-6, IR A - improved

Methods Seeds were direct-seeded on dry soil. Crops were managed according to local practice. Data from 2003 to 2009 were included in the analysis. Data were tabulated and graphically evaluated. Preference analyses by farmers were conducted prior to harvest

Mean grain yield and their yield advantage over local varieties Varieties Grain yield (kg/ha) Grain yield advantage (kg/ha) Grain yield advantage (%) Laboun2080a Non2038ab IR A2034ab B6144F-MR-62017ab Nok1887abc IR bc Makhinsoung1857 bc Local1700 c0100 SE(N= 99)76 5%LSD 780DF210 PR>F0.0001

Mean annual grain yield in northern provinces Provinces Annual grain yield (kg/ha) Mean (kg) Luangprabang Oudomxai Houphanh Luangnamtha Phongsaly Sayabuly XiengKuang Bokeo Mean (kg) SE(N= 99)187 5%LSD 780DF518 PR>F0.000

Grain yield of each rice lines and cultivars in northern Provinces VarietiesBokeo Houa phanh Luang namtha Luang prabang Oudom xai Phongsal y Sayabul y Xieng khuang B6144F-MR IR IR A Local Laboun Makhinsoung Nok Non SE(N= 12)205 5%LSD 724DF570 PR>F0.0000

Positive and negative characteristics mentioned by farmers

Amount of rice seed distributed Varieties Seeds distribution in each year (kg) Nok Makhinsoung Laboun Non IR B6144F-MR Total

Number of farmers and amount of seed Variety Farmers Amount of seed (kg) Farmers Amount of seed (kg) Farmers Amount of seed (kg) Nok Makhinsoung Laboun Non IR B6144F-MR

Upland 1 villages 2 farmers 1 kg Upland 1 villages 2 farmers 1 kg Upland 1 villages 20 farmers 800 kg Upland 1 villages 20 farmers 800 kg Upland 1 villages 10 farmers 100 kg Upland 1 villages 10 farmers 100 kg Laboun Variety spread by farmer to farmer Upland 1 villages 2 farmers 1 kg Upland 1 villages 2 farmers 1 kg Upland 3 villages 50 farmers 450 kg Upland 3 villages 50 farmers 450 kg Upland 1 villages 4 farmers 100 kg Upland 1 villages 4 farmers 100 kg Non Upland 5 villages 5 farmers 2.5 kg Upland 5 villages 5 farmers 2.5 kg Lowland 10 villages 24 farmers 520 kg Lowland 10 villages 24 farmers 520 kg Upland 8 villages 26 farmers 380 kg Upland 8 villages 26 farmers 380 kg B6144F-MR-6

Lessons and opportunities Participatory varietals selection ◦ Farmers selected varieties meeting their requirements ◦ Researchers gained a better understanding of the varietals characteristics needed by farmers Improving upland rice yields ◦ Highest yield advantage by improved varieties – 47-85% ◦ Highest yield advantage by glutinous and non- glutinous varieties – 21%

Lessons and opportunities (cont) Improving upland rice yields ◦ Genetic donors for tolerance to “yield decline” identified Development of high yielding improved glutinous rice varieties with desirable qualities is feasible Upland rice cultivars were develop fact sheets and decision support tools in local languages – Extension worker and Farmers

Some extension tools for validate cultivars

Thanks you for your attention