After winning the silver medal at the 2025 World’s Best Rice Award in Cambodia, Mabango 3 is gaining attention for a new reason: its ability to germinate and grow even under flooded conditions.

The variety, officially registered as NSIC Rc218, is now recognized not only for its aroma and grain quality but also for its field resilience.

The findings were published in the February 2026 issue of the Philippine Journal of Science in a study titled Anaerobic Germination Tolerance Trait of Philippine Rice Elite Lines and Varieties for Direct Seeding. Scientists from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) evaluated 56 elite breeding lines and 38 released varieties to determine which could sprout and grow when submerged during early development.

Direct seeding, where farmers plant seeds straight into the field instead of transplanting seedlings, has gained popularity in recent years. This method cuts labor costs, reduces water use, and speeds up planting. However, heavy rains can flood fields just as seeds begin to germinate, depriving them of oxygen and causing patchy growth or crop failure.

Flooding remains one of the most damaging threats to rice production across Asia, affecting roughly a quarter of planted areas annually and reducing yields.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the research underscores the need to develop varieties suited for unpredictable weather patterns.

“If we want to increase rice production while strengthening climate resilience and food security, we must invest in varieties that can survive real field conditions, not just ideal ones,” he said. “Studies like this move us closer to stable harvests and a more secure food future. We are lucky our scientists developed Mabango 3—it is a gift that continues to give.”

The research focused on anaerobic germination (AG) tolerance, a trait that enables seeds to extend shoots upward even in low-oxygen conditions. Scientists assessed germination rates, seedling length, and overall vigor under controlled flooded conditions, while screening for the AG1 genetic marker, linked to oxygen-deprivation tolerance.

NSIC Rc218 ranked among the top performers, posting strong germination rates and healthy seedling growth comparable to known tolerant varieties. Presence of the AG1 marker suggests it can serve as both a reliable choice for farmers and as breeding material for future climate-resilient lines.

Other promising varieties included NSIC Rc638 SR, a newly approved non-glutinous variety with an 87 percent germination rate under stress, and breeding line PR52390ILR-2-1-3-B, which also showed potential for flooded direct-seeding systems.