The variety Mahsuri was developed in the 1950’s in an indica/japonica crossing program at the Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) in Cuttack, Orissa (India). Parents were Taichung 65/2*Mayang Ebos 80. The line that became Mahsuri was selected for performance under high-input management in Malaysia, and tested in several South and Southeast Asian countries.
It was not very attractive to breeders; it is tall, prone to lodging and pre-harvest sprouting, has a droopy flag leaf, and is susceptible to several diseases, including blast. Leaves are pale green or yellowish. However, it was of a quality type that is highly appreciated in eastern India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and parts of Burma (high amylose yet soft after cooling, with medium-slender grain). It was also productive under low-input conditions, and, mainly because of its height, tolerant of water stagnation to 50 cm or more in depth.
Although initially not released after its initial testing, it began to spread rapidly out of breeders’ trials and was disseminated from farmer to farmer. By the early 1970’s it was the most widely-grown rainfed rice variety in Asia.