Development of rice varieties for Whole Crop Silage (WCS) in Japan

Abstract

Over-production of rice has been a problem for the past 40 years in Japan. On the other hand, there is also a need for an increase in the production of domestic bulk feed in Japan. Whole crop silage (WCS) rice is being promoted by the government. The whole aerial parts consisting of grains, leaves and stems are harvested at the yellow ripening stage. At present, about 12 WCS rice varieties have been bred and are commonly used in Japan. The total digestible nutrients (TDN) yields of WCS varieties are 3 to 27% higher than those of ordinary rice varieties. The lodging resistances of most of the WCS varieties are "High". Most WCS varieties are basically Japonica, but a few Indica varieties have been used in their parentage.