New And Pending Variety Releases From The LSU AgCenter Breeding Program

DR. ADAM FAMOSO

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

The Breeding Program plans to release several new market class varieties by 2026. These include PVL05, a long- grain Provisia line with enhanced first-crop yield and consistency; Venus, a conventional medium-grain variety that surpasses Jupiter and Titan in both yield and stability; and LA1008, a conventional long-grain option similar to Avant, offering modest yield gains, robust milling performance, and resistance to blast. There are additional lines under evaluation, such as LA22-1082, an imi-tolerant long-grain type (comparable to Clearfield and FullPage) with exceptional yield, stability, better milling quality, reduced chalkiness, and increased disease resistance. Additionally, LA21-1331, an aromatic Della-type variety that preserves Della grain standards while delivering a more competitive yield. 

Provisia Long Grain: PVL05 is an upcoming long-grain variety that presents new opportunities for growers. Compared to PVL03, PVL05 generally produces higher yields, especially in environments where PVL03 does not perform well, while offering similar performance elsewhere. This greater yield consistency hints at PVL05 potentially having slightly better Cercospora tolerance, though more monitoring is needed to confirm this. Both PVL05 and PVL03 contain the Pi-ta gene, which provides robust blast disease resistance. However, PVL05's milling yield is consistently lower than that of PVL03, and it appears more sensitive when harvested at lower moisture contents. Additionally, PVL05 exhibits a broader range of ratoon (second crop) outcomes – it can yield as well as, or sometimes less than, PVL03 for ratoon crops. Despite these factors, PVL05 stands out as a valuable option for growers using the Provisia system and will be available for commercial production in 2026. 

Conventional Medium Grain: Venus is a recently developed conventional medium-grain variety that has consistently exhibited enhanced yield and stability relative to Jupiter and Titan. Notably, Venus has maintained robust performance during seasons when Jupiter and Titan yields declined, demonstrating reliability under adverse conditions. The grain size, maturity period, and milling quality of Venus are intermediate between those of Jupiter and Titan. Milling performance has generally been favorable across multiple years of evaluation, although occasional samples have shown reduced milling values. Testing with Kellogg’s is underway and the initial stages of evaluation have been favorable. Venus is scheduled for commercial release in 2026 and will offer growers a dependable medium-grain option supported by comprehensive multiyear research. 

Conventional Long Grain: LA21-1008 is a new long grain rice variety that improves on Avant, mainly by adding strong blast resistance thanks to the Pita gene. This tackles a major weakness found in Avant and similar varieties, which are often vulnerable to blast disease. LA21-1008 offers reliable grain quality and agronomic traits, plus good ratoon potential, just like Avant. It's a semi-dwarf type and is a couple of inches taller than Avant. Although it flowers a few days later, it’s ready to harvest at a similar time as Avant. With its mix of disease resistance, yield, and quality, LA21- 1008 could become a valuable option for conventional varieties and should be available for commercial cultivation starting in 2027. 

Two lines are currently under consideration for release and are in the seed production phase. The first, LA22-1082, is an imi-tolerant long-grain variety (comparable to Clearfield and FullPage) that has demonstrated marked improvements in yield, milling quality, ratoon potential, and long grain length. LA22-1082 yields are on par with CLL18 – the inbred variety with the highest yield potential – and notably superior to those of CLL19. Beyond yield performance, LA22-1082 offers significant improvements on some of the limitations of CLL18, by offering excellent milling characteristics, low chalk content, and robust ratoon capability, representing advancements across all key economic traits. Currently, a 7-acre seed increase is underway in Puerto Rico, with commercial release anticipated in 2027. 

Another rice variety under consideration for release is LA21-1331, classified as an aromatic Della-type. Similar to Jazzman, Della grains possess aromatic qualities; however, while Jazzman features low amylose content resulting in a stickier, medium-grain texture post-cooking, Della varieties have intermediate amylose levels and exhibit cooking characteristics akin to southern long grain types such as PVL03 or Avant. The original Della was introduced in 1973, with “Della-2” following in 2012. LA21-1331 aligns with these categories in terms of grain quality and additionally offers higher yields and incorporation of the Pita blast resistance gene. Although it exhibits low chalk, it is marginally higher than that of Della-2 and demonstrates enhanced milling performance. The Rice Research Station provides samples to current and prospective growers who wish to assess LA21-1331’s grain quality and offer feedback.   ∆

DR. ADAM FAMOSO

LSU AGCENTER