Establishing an Elite Core Panel for Accelerating Genetic Gain in the PhilRice Irrigated Rice Breeding Program

Authors

• Leonilo V. Gramaje, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Science City of Muñoz 3119, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
• Frodie P. Waing, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Science City of Muñoz 3119, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
• Raysha Ann Marie Garcia, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Science City of Muñoz 3119, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
• Nia N. Manlulu, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Science City of Muñoz 3119, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
• Rogemae C. Ravela, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Science City of Muñoz 3119, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
• Alvin D. Palanog, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Science City of Muñoz 3119, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
• Oliver E. Manangkil, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Science City of Muñoz 3119, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
• Holden Verdeprado, International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños 4031, Laguna, Philippines
• Rose Imee Zhella Amar-Morante, International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños 4031, Laguna, Philippines
• Norvie L. Manigbas, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Science City of Muñoz 3119, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
• Pompe C. Sta Cruz, Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños 4031, Laguna, Philippines
• Suresh Babu Kadaru, International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños 4031, Laguna, Philippines
• Parthiban Thathapalli Prakash, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, Gigiri P.O. Box 1041-00621, Nairobi, Kenya
• Jose E. Hernandez, Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños 4031, Laguna, PhilippinesFollow

Publication Date

6-1-2026

Abstract

Increasing the performance of rice varieties in terms of yield and other economically significant traits through genetic improvement is crucial to achieving food security in the Philippines. The Department of Agriculture– Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) plays a central role in developing high-yielding rice varieties that are more adaptable to local conditions to meet national rice demand. This study determined the trend in genetic gain for yield among national test entries from 2015 through 2021 using historical data and evaluated key agronomic, grain quality, and pest- and disease-resistance traits as criteria for assembling an elite core panel. Historical yield data from National Cooperative Test Phase I (NCT I) trials for irrigated lowland rice from 2015 to 2021 were analyzed for 157 genotypes, using both phenotypic and genotypic data. Desired inbred lines have good agronomic traits, pest- and disease-resistance traits, and high grain quality. Genotype data for 87 selected genes and QTLs were collected, and genetic gain and genetic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) were calculated. The realized genetic gain was estimated at 0.30% or 17.09 kg ha−1 yr−1 in the wet and dry seasons. Of the 157 lines evaluated, 60 elite lines were selected based on their estimated GEBVs to form the core panel. The elite lines of the core panel also confer important alleles for blast resistance (Pii, Pi54, Pita, and qP33), bacterial leaf blight resistance (xa5, qXa4, and Xa21), rice tungro virus resistance (TSV1), brown planthopper resistance (BPH17), drought resistance (qDTY12.1 and qDTY3.2), salinity tolerance (Saltol), grain quality (fgr-1 and Chalk5), and yield-related traits (GS3, GFR1, and others). The assembly and characterization of this core panel are expected to accelerate genetic gains in grain yield and important traits in irrigated lowland rice.

Recommended Citation

Gramaje, Leonilo V.; Waing, Frodie P.; Garcia, Raysha Ann Marie; Manlulu, Nia N.; Ravela, Rogemae C.; Palanog, Alvin D.; Manangkil, Oliver E.; Verdeprado, Holden; Amar-Morante, Rose Imee Zhella; Manigbas, Norvie L.; Sta Cruz, Pompe C.; Kadaru, Suresh Babu; Prakash, Parthiban Thathapalli; and Hernandez, Jose E. (2026) "Establishing an Elite Core Panel for Accelerating Genetic Gain in the PhilRice Irrigated Rice Breeding Program," The Philippine Agricultural Scientist: Vol. 109: No. 2, Article 13.
Available at: https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/pas/vol109/iss2/13