Over the past thirty years, TARI Dakawa centre, in collaboration with national and international partners, has managed to generate and release rice seeds of improved varieties. Also, as collaborative research output, the centre generated two (2) varieties of maize that grow well in low altitudes in the Coast, Morogoro, and Tanga regions of Tanzania. Rice varieties include:
- TXD306 (SARO 5)
- TARI RIC1 (SUPA BC)
- TARI RIC2 (ZX117)
- Komboka
- TAI
- SATO1 and SATO9
And maize varieties are CH1 and CH2.
All the varieties intend to address issues around rice and maize crop productivity, i.e. increase productivity, tolerance and resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses like diseases and droughts, palatability and quality. These quality rice seeds are available at the centre for sale to needy customers at modest prices, e.g. 1 Kg of Certified Seed is sold at TZS. 2,500, Pre-basic seed sold at TZS 5,000 per kg and Basic seed at TZS 4,000.
For more information about ecologies where the seeds suit, their potential productivities, and other genotypic and phenotypic attributes look at improved rice varieties under technologies.
The centre is also producing clean banana seedlings for sale using tissue culture technology.1. Name of Variety: TARI-RIC 1 (Supa BC)
Ecology
• Irrigated and rainfed lowland
• Proposed elevation: 100-1200 m. a. s. l
Plant type
- Semi erect
• Medium plant height (100 – 110 cm)
• Medium-late maturity (110 – 120 days)
• High tillering
Points of Merits
· High grain yield potential and stability in its areas of adaptation (7.3-7.9 tones/ha)
· Aromatic with good cooking quality (stays soft after cooling)
· Good grain quality (translucent, long bold-slender grains)
· Resistant to lodging
2. Name of Variety: TARI-RIC 2 (ZX 117)
Ecology
• Rain-fed lowland
• Proposed elevation: 100-1100 m. a. s. l
Plant type
- Semi erect
• Medium plant height (105 – 120 cm)
• Early maturing (100 – 110 days)
• High tillering
Points of Merits
• High grain yield potential and stability in its areas of adaptation (7.7-8.4 tones/ha)
• Early maturing (73 – 76 days to 50% flowering i.e. approx. 103 – 106 days to maturity)
• Tolerant to drought
• Resistant to diseases such as Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) and Rice blast
• Resistant to lodging