Abstract
A new rice cultivar ‘Megumitsukushi’ was developed from a cross between ‘Chikushi 81’ and ‘Saikai 265’ at Fukuoka Agricultural Research Center. The characteristics of ‘Megumitsukushi’ are as follows: It belongs to the extremely early maturity group. It matures 2 to 3 days later than ‘Yumetsukushi’ and 8 days earlier than ‘Tsukushiroman’. Compared to ‘Tsukushiroman’, culm length is shorter; panicle length is slightly longer; number of panicles is larger; yield of brown rice is slightly higher; 1000-grain weight of brown rice is slightly heavier. Palatability of cooked rice is higher than ‘Yumetsukushi’and similar to ‘Tsukushiroman’. ‘Megumitsukushi’ possesses blast field resistance gene Pi39. Resistance to both leaf blast and panicle blast is strong. Tolerance to high temperature during ripening period is slightly strong or medium. Quality of appearance of grain is superior to both ‘Yumetsukushi’ and ‘Tsukushiroman’. Resistance to pre-harvest sprouting is strong. ‘Megumitsukushi’ is adapted to culture in semi-mountainous areas, as an alternative variety to ‘Tsukushiroman’. It was registered as a semi-recommended variety of Fukuoka Prefecture in 2022.
