Field trials mulled for super-hybrid corn from China

The country is planning to conduct field trials for a super hybrid yellow corn variety from China to improve the quality of local seed materials.

Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr. said the extraordinary corn variety, known in China as Hua Lung No. 1, grows up to three meters high and yields 25 tons per hectare.

The yield is eight times higher than the country’s current average yield for yellow corn at three tons per hectare, and is thrice the highest yield of eight tons per hectare ever achieved by local hybrid corn varieties that are distributed by multinational seed companies.

"We’re now looking for ways to bring in seed samples of Hua Lung No. 1 for local adaptability trials because it will bring tremendous benefits to our farmers and to our efforts at increasing production if this super hybrid variety adapts well to our agro-climatic conditions," Lorenzo said.

Lorenzo made the announcement following a report from David General, Philippine Genetics Inc. vice president for operations, who was sent to Changchun, China, recently to observe the super corn’s performance and explore the possibility of acquiring it for local propagation.

PGI is an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture tasked to seek technology from local and foreign institutions, establish gene banks for fauna and agri-forest products and engage in the development of technical expertise and capabilities in support of the government’s agricultural modernization program.

In his report, General said Hua Lung No. 1, developed at the Hua Pei Agricultural College in Changchun City, below Manchuria, a super hybrid that thrives during the dry season because it is highly resistant to drought.

Largely due to this variety, the city has been producing 40 percent of China’s yellow corn output and has been a major source of the country’s surplus corn sold in the overseas market.

Farmers cultivating the hybrid apply evenness in fertilization using organics and very minimal pesticides because its leaves and corn ears are not attacked by pest unlike the current stock of Philippine varieties which are very susceptible to the Asian corn borer.

He explained that even assuming the country could produce only half the average production in Changchun, a 12-ton-per-hectare-yield would already be a major improvement over the national average.