Chiayi Agricultural Experiment Station under the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute unveiled March 26 a new, highly nutritious, high-yield rice hybrid, Tainung Sen Glutinous 24, the first locally developed indica strain of purple sticky rice to obtain plant variety rights.
“Purple glutinous rice is nutritious and has a long history as an imperial tribute,” said Yang Hong-ren, director of CAES. The new rice is rich in elements calcium, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, potassium and sodium; vitamins A and E; polyphenols and folic acid. Its ability to clear free radicals is also much higher than normal indica strains, and the folic acid is of great benefit to cell division in pregnant women, according to Yang.
The Chiayi station in southern Taiwan first grew the new variety in 2011, after having worked on crossing local rice strains with black sticky rice from Thailand since 1990. Last year, the cultivar was recognized by the Committee of Registration for New Plant Variety of the TARI under the ROC Council of Agriculture.
“Faced with growing pressure from rice imports, local farmers are under pressure to diversify their produce and develop into quality agriculture,” Yang said. Tainung Sen Glutinous 24 has relatively good resistance to rice blast and the brown planthopper, allowing savings on pesticide use and prevention of pollution.
Yang estimated that annual double-cropped yield is 11.09 metric tonnes per hectare, about 1.8 metric tonnes more than regular sticky rice varieties. The annual net value per hectare is also NT$180,000 (US$5,880) higher, at NT$410,000.
According to CAES, the new variety’s husk is a rich source of antioxidant anthocyanin, which can be used to make health products or as a food additive, creating additional commercial opportunities.
The new sticky rice will be grown in a restricted area to prevent it from mixing with other strains and being taken for unauthorized use.
