The rice research program in Egypt, developed in collaboration with Deltamed, launched a breeding initiative aimed at selecting new rice varieties tolerant to salinity, resistant to diseases and insects, and able to thrive under water scarcity, particularly suited for cultivation in the Nile Delta region.

In 2023, a new variety named Susan 1 was officially released. It was developed by crossing Italian, Spanish, and Egyptian varieties selected for their favorable traits. These varieties were shared among countries as early as 2004. In that year, they were planted in experimental fields to evaluate their adaptability to Egyptian environmental conditions, and the best-performing genotypes were selected.

Subsequently, hybridization was carried out by crossing these varieties with local Egyptian lines, with the aim of producing progenies with higher productivity, superior quality, and better adaptation to local conditions. The selection process continued through several generations (F2 to F6), culminating in agronomic and yield trials. This work led to the development of new genotypes with excellent agronomic performance, well-suited to Egyptian conditions and potentially expandable to other Mediterranean countries.

The new genotypes—GZ11393 (Susan / Giza 177), known as Susan 1, GZ10078 (Sakha 101 / 85040-TR85-3-4-1), and GZ11391 (Bahia / Giza 178)—are currently under release. They are distinguished by high productivity, resistance to diseases and pests, grain quality, tolerance to salinity and water stress, and good adaptability to climate change. These genotypes represent a valuable resource for the development of climate-smart cultivars, contributing to biodiversity conservation, agricultural sustainability, and water efficiency across the Mediterranean region.

Susan 1, in particular, was officially released in 2023 as a high-yielding, good-quality, short-stature, and early-maturing cultivar suitable for dry conditions in Egypt. It was obtained through a single cross between the Italian variety Suzan and the Egyptian local variety Giza 177. The crossing began in 2004, with selection continuing until the line stabilized at the F6 generation in 2010.

The promising line GZ11393 surpassed all other selected lines and was evaluated in multi-location yield trials from 2011 to 2018, including regional, final, verification, DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability), VCU (Value for Cultivation and Use), and demonstration trials.

Susan 1 demonstrates good agronomic traits: robust root system, seedling vigor, high tillering ability, short stature, early cycle (127 days), erect leaves, high leaf area index, a large number of reproductive tillers, large panicles, and short grain. Grain yields reached 10.8 t/ha under normal conditions, 7.2 t/ha under drought, and 6.84 t/ha under salinity. It also shows a high harvest index (45%) and favorable milling, chemical, and cooking characteristics. The variety is resistant to major rice diseases such as blast, brown spot, false smut, white tip nematode, and bakanae.

Finally, Susan 1 demonstrated strong genetic yield potential, achieving 10.7 t/ha in demonstration fields and 10.2 t/ha in adjacent farms across different governorates during the 2020–2021 seasons. For these reasons, it is recommended for cultivation in major rice-producing areas, especially in Delta regions exposed to salinity, water scarcity, and climate change, in Egypt and other Mediterranean countries.