Yields and other agronomic data for the 12 varieties grown and certified in California are presented in Table 1. Included are two privately developed varieties, Calpearl and California Belle. Since new varieties are added and older ones discontinued from time to time, direct comparisons are valid only among those tested in the same years and trials. These are grouped in the table. However, the large number of tests of most established varieties gives reasonable, although not direct, indications of relative performance.

Table 1. Yield and agronomic characteristics of California rice varieties as averaged over various statewide trials and years¹

Variety	# of tests	Years	Yield	Mois-ture at harvest	Days to 50% heading	Plant height (in.)	% lodging	Seed- ling vigor2	Hull type3
S-201	20	1980-84	8900	19.7	95	35	33	4.2	S
M-9	20	1980-84	8380	21.6	93	37	57	4.1	S
M-201	20	1980-84	9370	21.4	94	34	9	4.1	S
Calmochi-202	20	1980-84	8300	22.2	99	37	28	4.0	S
M-302	17	1980-84	8980	19.9	103	37	24	4.2	S
M-401	17	1980-84	9090	20.0	106	37	52	4.3	S
M-7	17	1980-84	8920	21.0	110	38	15	4.4	S
Calrose 76	12	1980-84	9100	18.4	110	38	22	4.3	P
Calpearl	10	1982-84	9870	16.3	89	33	20	4.7	P
M-101	10	1982-84	8760	18.7	88	34	43	4.6	S
California Belle	9	1982-84	7560	16.9	88	40	42	3.5	S
L-202	9	1982-84	9095	18.5	95	32	3	3.6	S
1. Direct comparison only can be made among varieties included in the same trials. These are identified in groups separated by the different colors. However, the large number of tests for most established varieties give a reasonable, although not direct, indication of relative performance. 2. Subjective score with 1 = very poor; 5 = excellent 3. S = smooth; P = pubescent

VARIETAL CHARACTERISTICS

Short grain

S-201 is a high yielding short grain variety that is similar to M9 in blanking resistance and maturity. Grains are typical short grain shape. It is adapted to all rice growing areas and has good seedling vigor. Milling yields are variable and can be low at lower harvest moisture. Seed has been widely available since 1981.

Medium grain

M-101, the earliest variety grown, has excellent seedling vigor and resistance to blanking. It is suggested only for special conditions such as cold areas and late sowing. Head rice yield is low; therefore, harvesting at moisture contents of 25 to 26 percent is advised. Yield may be less than other varieties at normal sowing dates.

M9 is an early maturing variety that produces high yields in warmer areas but is not well adapted to colder areas or to very early sowing because of poor seedling vigor. It shows mixed maturity of grains on panicles and is somewhat difficult to thresh cleanly. Special harvesting adjustment may be required.

M-201 has the same maturity as M9 but with very high yield potential and appears to .be more responsive to higher rates of nitrogen fertilization. It has much greater resistance to lodging than M9 and threshes more easily. M-201 is more resistant to stem rot than M9 but more susceptible to sheath blight. It is a replacement for M9 in all but the coolest areas. Since M-201 threshes easily, the reel and cylinder speeds should be reduced to minimize shattering and enhance head rice.

M-302 replaced M-301. It has fairly good lodging resistance and translucent grains and is 5 to 8 days earlier than M7. M-302 has good seedling vigor and resistance to blanking. It can be used to spread the harvest season.

M-401 is a premium quality rice and not a replacement for M7. It is about 3 days earlier than M7 but lodges more and is more sensitive to blanking and injury from early draining than M7. It is sensitive to over-fertilization and requires somewhat less nitrogen than the other short stature varieties. M-401 has large bold kernels.

M7 has been grown since 1979. It is a high yielding variety that is the latest maturing., It has good seedling vigor, very good lodging and blanking resistance. Days from sowing to heading are influenced both by photoperiod and heat units. It is adapted to early seeding in all growing areas except unusually cool areas which may delay maturity.

Calrose 76 is similar to M7 except it has pubescent hulls and leaves and long awns in the warmer areas. It is being discontinued, so foundation seed is no longer available.

Calpearl was developed by Narval F. Davis, Drier and Elevator, Inc. of Firebaugh, California. It produces very high yields, is resistant to lodging, and has translucent grains. Kernels are shorter than typical medium grain varieties but are not classified as a pearl. Leaves and hulls are pubescent. Seed is widely available, and the variety is adapted to all rice growing areas of California.

Long grain

Figure 5. Paddy (left) and ,milled rice from the new long grain variety L-202. It has good cooking quality, high grain yield, and is adapted to California growing conditions.

L-202 is a new long grain with very high yield potential in warmer areas. It is not adapted to the colder rice growing areas. Its tolerance to Ordram® and Bolero® is similar to other varieties. It is short statured, has smooth leaves and hulls and excellent resistance to lodging. It requires careful water management through the tillering stage, appears to be highly responsive to nitrogen fertilization and threshes easily. Cylinder speed should be reduced to enhance head yield. It has good cooking qualities and a large attractive kernel.

California Belle was developed by Narval F. Davis, Drier and Elevator, Inc. of Firebaugh, California. It is a very early maturing, long grain variety with intermediate height and smooth leaves and stems. Grain quality is very good. It has translucent kernels without white belly or chalkiness. It has good cooking quality. Seedling vigor is poor. The variety is somewhat susceptible to lodging. Yields are somewhat lower than other current varieties and may be depressed in cool areas because of blanking.

Sweet

Calmochi-202 is an early sweet rice similar to S-201 in growth characteristics but about 3 days later in maturity. It has short grains, yields about 8 percent less than S-201 and has smooth leaves and hulls except for some hairs on leaf blade margins. Cooking quality is comparable to other California waxy rices.