OM468 - Promising rice variety for the 1 million hectare high quality rice project

Outstanding yield, healthy plants, large ears of grain.

OM468 is a purebred, temperature-sensitive rice variety, bred from the combination T3HAU1/OM5451-625, developed by the Mekong Delta Rice Research Institute. Currently, ThaiBinh Seed Group Joint Stock Company holds the production and marketing rights for this variety. It has been approved for circulation in regions such as Southern Vietnam, the South Central Coast, and the Central Highlands since 2024.

With a short growing season of 100-105 days for the winter-spring crop and only 95-100 days for the summer-autumn crop, the OM468 rice variety is suitable for many soil types and can be grown three times a year.

The plant grows to a height of 95-105 cm, with vigorous tillering, strong stems, a compact shape, large panicles, long grains, and bright yellow husks. The weight of 1,000 grains is 23-24 grams. In demonstration models in the Mekong Delta, the variety yields an average of 7-8 tons/ha, and with good intensive farming practices, it can reach up to 9 tons/ha - an impressive figure for a high-quality rice variety.

Another notable feature of the OM468 rice variety is its good resistance to common pests and diseases and its adaptability to harsh conditions. Photo: PV

Good disease resistance, wide adaptability.

Practical experience shows that the OM468 rice variety has good resistance to blast disease (levels 1-3), low susceptibility to bacterial leaf blight, moderately good resistance to brown planthopper (levels 3-5), and especially, this rice variety has a fairly good salt tolerance - a great advantage in the increasingly complex conditions of climate change and saltwater intrusion in the Southwestern region of Vietnam.

In model farms in Can Tho, Kien Giang, and Soc Trang , the OM468 rice variety developed well, with few pests and diseases, upright leaves, large panicles, uniform flowering, and a low percentage of empty grains. Farmers reported that the variety only required 1-2 applications of pesticides throughout the season, reducing fertilizer and pesticide costs by 15-20% compared to currently cultivated varieties.

Besides its yield and resistance, the OM468 rice variety is also highly valued for its grain quality – a key factor in participating in the rice export value chain.

Sacred — Hung Cuong Agricultural Cooperative (Dong Thap) produces OM468 rice. Photo: Thuy Linh

OM468 rice has long grains ranging from 6.76 to 6.9 mm, with a whole grain to milled grain ratio of 61.9 - 66.1%. The grains are translucent and have minimal chalkiness. Cooked rice is soft, chewy, flavorful, and has a light aroma, appealing to both domestic and international consumers. The amylose content ranges from 16.6 - 17.7%, ensuring consistent and delicious rice quality.

Many exporting businesses believe that the OM468 rice variety can meet the technical requirements of high-end markets such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and the EU, when properly processed and prepared according to standards.

Aiming for large-scale production

Mr. Tran Manh Bao, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ThaiBinh Seed Group, said: Thanks to its comprehensive advantages, the OM468 rice variety is currently being encouraged for expansion in many localities in the Mekong Delta, Central Highlands, and South Central region. In Dong Thap, production linkage models with businesses have demonstrated the superior economic efficiency of OM468, with profits 10-15 million VND/ha higher than traditional varieties.

In particular, this rice variety is being considered for inclusion in the group of key varieties in the roadmap for implementing the 1 million hectare high-quality rice project, led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

With its wide adaptability, high yield, easy pest management, and low investment costs, the OM468 rice variety is an ideal choice for large-scale, concentrated production following organic, circular, or GlobalGAP/VietGAP standards.

The OM468 rice variety is not only a new advancement in plant breeding but also opens up many prospects for sustainable and modern agriculture. Considered a "shining star" among high-quality rice varieties, OM468 promises to make a significant contribution to elevating the brand of Vietnamese rice in the international market.

Developing, propagating, and integrating rice varieties into sustainable production-consumption chains is key to increasing farmers' income, stabilizing raw material sources for businesses, and establishing Vietnam's rice industry's position on the global agricultural map.

Outstanding yield, healthy plants, large ears of grain.

Good disease resistance, wide adaptability.

Aiming for large-scale production

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