Breeding of a new red grain glutinous rice [Oryza sativa] cultivar 'Yuyakemochi'

'Yuyakemochi' is a new rice cultivar developed at the National Agricultural Research Center for Tohoku Region, NARO, and was registered as 'Norin-mochi 417' by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan in 2006. This cultivar was selected from the progenies of the combination of Tatsukomochi / Ukei 586 (Benigoromo). The latter parent is a cultivar with a nonglutinous red grain. 'Yuyakemochi' is an early to middle maturing cultivar in the Tohoku region. When compared to 'Tatsukomochi', its culm is shorter and its lodging tolerance is greater. As its apiculus color is purple, 'Yuyakemochi' is easily distinguishable from other cultivar. Its cool-weather tolerance during the reproductive stage is high, and its seed dormancy is moderate. Its field resistance to leaf and panicle blasts is slightly weak. Its grain yields are almost the same as those of 'Tatsukomochi' while its grains have higher dietary fiber, sodium, niacin, anthocyanidin, tannin, and catechin content than does 'Tatsukomochi'. In regard to the eating quality of its rice cake, its color and taste become desirable when the grains are polished. 'Yuyakemochi' can be used for 'colored rice' without the need for adzuki beans, rice cake, colored rice wine, or other additives. It is adapted to the middle to south areas of the Tohoku region.