Registration of ‘Della‐2’ Aromatic Long‐Grain Rice

Abstract

‘Della‐2’ (Reg. No. CV‐140, PI 665400) is an aromatic long‐grain cultivar with good grain yield, good milling yields, and excellent grain appearance. It was developed with the modified pedigree selection at the Rice Research Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center near Crowley, LA. Della‐2 was approved for official release in December 2011 by the director of Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station because of its enhanced yield potential and grain‐quality characteristics suitable for the aromatic specialty market. In 10 statewide trials conducted at six Louisiana locations, the average main crop yields of Della‐2, ‘Dellrose’, and ‘Cheniere’ were 7.51, 6.60, and 8.27 t ha−1. In Uniform Regional Rice Nursery trials performed in 2008 in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas, Della‐2 yielded an average of 9.81 t ha−1, which was significantly higher than the 7.31 t ha−1 of Dellrose but only numerically higher than 9.35 t ha−1 of the nonaromatic check Cheniere. In 34 replicated trials where milling yields were evaluated, the average head and total rice yields of Della‐2 were 600 and 690 g kg−1 compared with 637 and 722 g kg−1 for Dellrose and 613 and 717 g kg−1 for Cheniere. The average amylose content of Della‐2 was 21.8% compared with 23.1 and 24.0% for Dellrose and Cheniere. The average alkali spread value of Della‐2, Dellrose, and Cheniere was 4.1, 4.1, and 4.4. The average 2‐acetyl‐pyrroline content of Della‐2 was 787 ng g−1, which was higher than the 582 ng g−1 of Dellrose. Della‐2 is susceptible to sheath blight [caused by Thanatephorus cucumeris (A.B. Frank) Donk (anamorph: Rhizoctonia solani Kühn)], bacterial panicle blight (caused by Burkholderia glumae), and the physiological disorder straighthead but moderately resistant to blast [caused by Magnaporthe grisea (Hebert) Barr (anamorph Pyricularia grisea Sacc.)]. Della‐2 is adapted to southern U.S. environmental conditions, and its improved yield potential will benefit specialty rice growers by improving their profitability.