A total of 40 tropically adapted varieties were planted in a small pasture area watered by overhead irrigation last December.

The trial features aerobic rice, which doesn't require flooded paddy fields and is more suited to the Top End climate.

Aerobic rice combines the drought tolerance of upland rice and the yield potential of paddy rice (in flooded fields).

The first harvest is expected around April and assessment will be based on vigour, yield and grain milling quality.

KRS sustainable production research officer for plant industries, Dior Hussie, said rice was being looked at as a new gain crop for the Katherine region, though it was early days yet.

"Agronomically, (we are) seeing how aerobic rice handles the NT climate and seeing how it grows," Ms Hussie said.

The trial is made up of three separate 'areas'.

One is a replicated variety trial involving 10 varieties, with material supplied by SunRice.

There are also two seed multiplication areas. One has genetics supplied by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, and the other has varieties supplied by the Biloela Genetics Resource Centre QLD.

The best-performing varieties will go into a (future) replicated variety trial to see how they go over a wet and dry period.

The area is no-till cultivation, meaning the country has not been ploughed or prepped as to avoid disturbing the seed bank.

Ms Hussie said there are years of research ahead, and many hurdles to overcome.

While there has been good response and support so far from the local farming community, Ms Hussie said interest and funding will need to be ongoing.

KRS aerobic rice research was initially focused on rice as a cover crop in a peanut-maize rotation. People can attend the KRS open day on March 20 to find out more about aerobic rice.