Possible variability in rice protein caused by environmental conditions

Mutants consistently high in protein content were induced in the rice variety Pelita I/1 using gamma radiations. However, only a few have a good true digestibility value. One mutant, 627/5-PsJ, has a good chance of official release because it is resistant to brown planthopper, has a high yield potential, good eating quality, early maturity and is highly tolerant to salinity. The environmental conditions, such as heterogeneity of soil, amount of nitrogen fertilizer and reproducibility of methods for protein determination may have significant effects on the variability for protein content in certain genotypes of rice. (author)