The Philippines
March 10, 2026
Researchers studying the genetic makeup of Philippine traditional rice varieties (TRVs) have identified early maturing traits and anaerobic germination potential that could help develop climate-resilient and nutritious rice for farmers.
Initial screening under the 1,001 Philippine Rice Genome (1k1RG) Program found three traditional rice varieties that mature in less than 100 days based on dry season data, a characteristic that could help farmers reduce crop exposure to droughts and typhoons.
The program, led by the Department of Agriculture–Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), is decoding the genomes of 1,001 Philippine TRVs to identify useful traits for rice breeding.
Researchers also reported 22 TRVs with at least 95% germination rate under flooded conditions, indicating potential tolerance to anaerobic environments during crop establishment.
Screening for herbicide tolerance is still ongoing. About half of the selected TRVs have been evaluated so far, with no tolerant lines identified yet, according to Dr. Loida M. Perez, PhilRice project lead.
Nutritional profiling of the traditional rice varieties, including analysis of zinc, iron, proteins, essential amino acids, and low phytic acid levels, is also underway.
Dinorado, a traditional rice known for its fragrance and good eating quality, has been selected as the reference genome for the study. Contrary to the white colored rice grains labeled as Dinorado in the market, the Dinorado traditional variety has red pericarp grains which turn into pinkish color after milling.
“Many of our traditional varieties are valued for their unique qualities but remain underutilized because of production constraints. By combining phenotyping, genetic mapping, and whole genome sequencing, new gene sources and genomic regions will be identified from these varieties that could be used in future rice breeding programs,” Perez said.
The initiative consists of two complementary projects. Project A, titled Traditional Rice Phenotypes and Trait Genetic Mapping, is led by Perez and focuses on analyzing phenotypes and conducting genome-wide association studies (GWAS), supported by the Department of Agriculture-National Rice Program (DA-NRP).
Project B, Mining the Diversity of Philippine Traditional Rice Varieties through Whole Genome Sequencing and Bioinformatics, is led by UPLB under Dr. Maria Genaleen Q. Diaz. The project conducts whole genome sequencing and RNA sequencing, develops the Dinorado reference genome, establishes the Philippine Rice Genome Database, and conducts capacity enhancement on bioinformatics. It is supported by the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).
“This effort brings together advanced genomics and traditional knowledge to help develop climate-resilient, nutritious, and high-performing rice varieties for Filipino farmers,” said Dr. Michael Purugganan, scientific advisory board member of the Philippine American Academy of Science and Engineering (PAASE) and professor at New York University, USA.
Other implementers and partners of the program include the UP System–Philippine Genome Center, UP Diliman, International Rice Research Institute, New York University, Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo, and PAASE.
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