Mardi unveils 2 new rice varieties to boost yields, fight weedy rice problem

New Straits Times

3 days ago

PASIR SALAK: The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) today introduced two new rice varieties, MR CL3 and MR CL4, to tackle the persistent problem of weedy rice (padi angin) in the country.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the new varieties are the result of a strategic collaboration between Mardi and German chemical company BASF, a partnership that began two decades ago.
Mohamad said MR CL3 and MR CL4 offer several advantages, including early maturity, requiring only 99 days to harvest, and a high yield potential of over seven tonnes per hectare.
"Both varieties also show resistance to leaf blast and panicle blast diseases," he said in his speech at the launch of the new Clearfield rice varieties CL3 and CL4 at the Felcra Seberang Perak today.
Also present were the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, Mardi board chairman Dr Azman Ismail and state Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun.
He added that this innovation not only meets current agricultural challenges but also serves as a model for public-private collaboration in strengthening the national rice and padi industry.
"The commercialisation of these varieties will follow the Clearfield Production System, which includes the rice varieties, the specialised herbicide 'Trek', and detailed technology usage guidelines.
"These three components are integrated to ensure the sustainability of the technology and to address the weedy rice issue effectively," he said.
At a press conference later, Mohamad said that plant diseases are constantly evolving, and currently, Malaysia's padi fields are significantly affected by weedy rice.
"These plants appear healthy and robust, but as they near maturity, they fail to develop filled grains. The plants remain upright instead of bending, a sign that the panicles are empty and weak.
"There is a need for technology that helps maintain plant strength and resilience, like the healthy padi we see growing next to us here.
"This is the result of research between Mardi and BASF, and we hope it will help farmers increase their yields in the long run," he said.
Meanwhile, Azman in his speech said weedy rice is one of the main challenges faced by local rice farmers.
He said that the presence of weedy rice can lead to severe yield losses ranging from 20 per cent to 80 per cent, which in turn reduces farmers' income and negatively impacts the country's overall rice production.
"The main strength of MR CL3 and MR CL4 lies in their tolerance to herbicides from the Imidazolinone group.
"These varieties are developed from a hybrid of local strains — MR 253 and MR 220CL2 — which are resistant to the herbicide.
"This enables selective and effective control of weedy rice without affecting the growth of MR CL3 and MR CL4," he said.
On the commercial front, Azman said the two new varieties will be made available under the Clearfield Production System (CPS), which includes three core components: the rice seed variety, the herbicide, and the technology application guidelines.
"Clearfield seeds will be sold only as part of a complete package including the Trek herbicide to ensure the proper and effective implementation of the system," he said.
He also expressed hope that all stakeholders, particularly seed producers and farmers, would fully understand and adhere to the system's guidelines.
"Compliance is key to ensuring the long-term sustainability of this technology and its continued success in combating weedy rice," he added.