Climate change resilient rice varieties and fertilizer management practices in rainfed areas of Tayabas, Quezon [Philippines]

Rainfed lowland rice farms are considered marginal rice production areas and generally low-yielding, hence it is imperative that measures are done to improve their productivity. A study was conducted to evaluate two rainfed lowland rice varieties (NSIC Rc276 Sahod Ulan 4 and NSIC Rc 282/Sahod Ulan 7 against farmers stock variety, and three fertilizers management practices (recommended rate of inorganics fertilizer 90-30-30 NPK. farmer's practices 94-37-18 NPK and FP + Bio-N) in a rainfed community at Brgy. [barangay, village] Lawigue, Tayabas. The amount of rainfall during the cropping season was below normal, and inadequate to favorably support one rice growing season. Both Sahod Ulan varieties had significantly higher yield-related parameters and yield components, and outyielded the farmers' variety under reduced rainfall regardless of imposed fertilizer management treatments. Farmer-cooperators preferred NSIC Rc 282 due to its consistent better field performance and yield. In terms of fertilizer treatment, significant difference was only detected in panicle length, percent filed grain, 1000-grain weight and grain yield. Recommended rate of fertilizer supported the highest grain yield (2.08 t/ha), closely followed by FP + Bio-N (1.95t/ha). These yield levels were 14.7-22.3% higher than yield obtained under the farmers' fertilizer management. The result emphasizes the importance of using environment-appropriate varieties such under rainfed condition. Combining the use of suitable variety with proper fertilizer management is crucial in increasing farmers' yield in marginal areas with unpredictable climate condition.