Short grain

S-201. High yield potential, excellent seedling vigor, similar to M-201 in maturity and in resistance to blanking; has good pearl shape. Seed widely available since 1981.

Medium grain

M-101. Earliest variety, excellent seedling vigor, good resistance to blanking. Yields less than other varieties at normal planting dates. Suggested only for special conditions such as cold areas and/or late planting dates. To minimize reduction in head rice, which is generally low, harvest at 25 percent moisture. Seed available since 1981.

M9. Early, high yield potential; not adapted to colder areas or to very early seeding; mixed maturity of seed on panicles. Somewhat difficult to thresh cleanly - special combine adjustments may be necessary. Should be obsolete when M-202 seed is available. Seed available since 1979.

UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor Steve Scardaci explains rice water management studies.

M-201. Same maturity as M9 but with higher yield potential; 2 to 3 inches shorter than M9 with excellent resistance to lodging and appears to be more responsive to nitrogen. Threshes very easily. Reduce reel and cylinder speed to minimize shatter and enhance head rice. Has replaced M9 in all but the cooler rice growing areas; best resistance to stem rot but susceptible to aggregate sheath spot. Seed available since 1984.

M-202. Intended to replace M9 in the cooler rice growing areas where M-201 is not adapted and for later seeding dates. Approximately two days earlier and two inches shorter than M9 with higher yield potential; intermediate lodging resistance; similar to M9 in seedling vigor, resistance to blanking and threshability. Seed will be widely available in 1987.

M-302. Is 8 to 10 days later than M-201; has good seedling vigor and resistance to blanking. Can be used to spread planting and harvest seasons. Seed available since 1983.

M 7. Late maturing variety with good field and milling yield potential, good seedling vigor and resistance to blanking, excellent lodging resistance. Good resistance to stem rot and best on aggregate sheath spot. Seed available since 1979.

M-401. Is a late maturing premium quality rice and not a replacement for M7. Has high yield potential; M7 maturity; is more sensitive to blanking, lodging and damage from early drainage than M7; therefore use somewhat less N than on other short stature varieties. Has large bold seeds. Seed available since 1983.

Long grain

L-202. Early maturing and good yield potential in warmer areas; not adapted to colder areas; shortest of current varieties; excellent resistance to lodging and appears to be highly responsive to nitrogen. Seedling vigor fair; requires careful water management. Threshes easily, so reduce cylinder speed to minimum to enhance head rice; has good cooking qualities. Seed widely available in 1986.

Sweet

Calmochi-101. *A sweet rice 15 days earlier than Calmochi-202; has desirable larger seed and improved cooking quality; excellent resistance to low temperature blanking; has rough leaves and hulls; no awns. Foundation seed available in 1986.

Calmochi-202. *An early sweet rice similar to S-201 in growth characteristics but two days later. Has smaller seeds. Yields about 8 percent less than S-201. Seed available since 1983.
* Calmochi varieties should not be grown unless arrangements have first been made with a marketing agency.

 

Table 1. Yield and agronomic characteristics of California rice varieties as averaged over various statewide trials and years.1
Variety	# of tests	Years	Yield	Moisture at harvest	Days to 50% heading	Plant Height	% lodging	Seedling vigor2	Hull type3
M-202	13	1983-85	9450	20.1	90	36	26	4.1	S
S-201	13	1983-85	9000	19.7	96	36	32	4.2	S
M-9	13	1983-85	8660	21.7	93	37	51	4.1	S
M-201	13	1983-85	9310	20.9	93	34	12	4.1	S
M-302	20	1980-85	9070	19.7	103	37	22	4.2	S
M-401	20	1980-85	9180	19.9	107	37	48	4.3	S
M-7	20	1980-85	8920	21.1	111	38	13	4.4	S
Calmochi-101	7	1983-85	9660	15.5	83	33	25	4.7	P
M-101	7	1983-85	8760	17.7	83	33	25	4.7	S
CA Belle	13	1982-85	7700	16.8	88	40	37	3.7	S
L-202	13	1982-85	8950	18.3	95	31	3	3.8	S
M-9	13	1982-85	8800	21.7	94	37	50	4.1	S
1 Direct comparison only can be made among varieties included in the same trials. These are identified in groups separated by the varying colors. However, the larger 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