Rice Variety Profile for M-211
RES Rice Varieties
Variety: M-211
- Former ID: 12Y2175
- Year: 2020
Pedigree and Breeding
M-211, formerly designated as12Y2175, originated from a cross during summer of 2007 at the Rice Experiment Station in Biggs, CA. Its pedigree is “M-206/4/M-203/K397//M-205/3/87P1309//M-401/M-203”. M-206 is a high yielding, glabrous, early maturing Calrose variety released by RES in 2003 and widely adapted in rice growing areas in California. K397 or Kirara 397 is a premium quality, short grain, semi-dwarf rice variety developed in Hokkaido in 1980. It is cold tolerant during booting stage and has good tolerance to leaf and panicle blast. M-205 is a glabrous high yielding, early maturing Calrose-type medium grain variety released by RES in 2005 and adapted in warmer areas. M-401, which is a mutant of Terso, is a late maturing medium grain with premium quality released in 1981. M-203 is photoperiod insensitive and an early maturing semi-dwarf medium grain mutant of M-401 developed and released by RES in 1988. M-206, M-205, and M-401 are still being grown in commercial production in California
This new variety has excellent cooking characteristics above the Calrose quality and close to M-401 premium quality. It is considered a “Premium Calrose”. It was evaluated by mills and marketing organizations for its cooking qualities and was unanimously recommended with high acceptability to the rice market.
Agronomic Characteristics
The overall average grain yield of M-211 is 9,712 lb/acre compared to 9,196, and 9,129 lb/acre for M-209, and M-206, respectively. M-211 has similar seedling vigor to and slightly taller than M-206 and M-209. On average, M-211 flowered 1 day later than M-209 and 6 days later than M-206. It is more lodging resistant.
Milling and Quality
The milled rice grains of M-211 are heavier (1000-grain weight=23.64 g) and slightly longer (length=5.98 mm) compared to M-206 (5.84 mm), but slightly shorter than M-209 (6.07 mm). The grain width of M-211 (2.92 mm) is slightly wider than both M-209 (2.73 mm) and M-206 (2.79 mm). However, the length/width ratio of M-211 is 2.05 compared to 2.22 of M-209, and 2.10 L/W ratio of M-206. While slightly bigger sized-kernels are generally considered a plus as opposed to smaller grains, the M-211 has grains that perfectly fit for mixing or co-mingling of Calrose-type rice.
Head rice yield of M-211 when harvested at 18-22% is 61/67 (head/total) compared to 62/68 of M-209 and 64/69 of M-206. Although the total milled rice is highest at moisture content lower than 18%, the head rice of M-211 is lowest when cut at moistures below 18% compared to the check varieties. USDA FGIS milling evaluation of M-211 in 2019 is 70/72 Head/Total compared to 71/72 for both M-206 and M-209. It is suggested that M-211 be harvested at optimum moisture content of 18-20%.
RVA and Quality Evaluation
M-211 has an apparent amylose content (%) of 14.4% compared to M-206 (14.0%) and M-209 (13.3%). The protein content of M-211 is 5.7% compared to 5.4%, and 6.9% for M-209, and M-206, respectively. The RVA profile, amylose, and protein content of M-211 is presented in Table 1.
External evaluations received from individuals and organizations indicated that M-211 was acceptable for the rice market and considered superior to the regular Calrose varieties in terms of taste and overall quality.
M-211: RVA of M-211, M-209, and M-206
Blanking and Disease Screening Test
In San Joaquin, M-211 cold-induced blanking averaged 2% blanking over the three-year evaluations. M-211 is moderately susceptible to both stem rot and blast diseases. In comparison to M-209 and M-206, M-211 is less susceptible to stem rot.
Area of Adaptation
M-211 is better suited in favorable, high-yielding environments with a high-input production system and adapted to areas where M-209 or M-205 were grown. Results from the San Joaquin location and cold greenhouse tests indicate that M-211 may suffer more from cold-induced blanking if grown in cooler rice areas.