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VOL. 10, ISSUE 2 (2025)
Identify the effect of seed rates on plant growth and yield of popular rice variety BG 94-1 in Sammanthurai Area, Ampara District, Sri Lanka
Authors
A Thowfeeq Mohamed, S L Nawarathna, N P Vidanapathirana, K L Raisoon
Abstract
Rice, as a staple food, holds a significant
position in Sri Lanka's agricultural landscape, cultivated across all
districts. The dry zone, in particular, contributes significantly to the
national rice supply. The direct sowing of sprouted paddy to the field is a
widely adopted practice in Sri Lankan paddy farming compared to other establishment
techniques. Seed rate, a critical factor, profoundly impacts plant density,
crop stand competitiveness, tiller development, time to maturity, and overall
yield. Low plant density and improper sowing methods are major agronomic
constraints affecting yield in rice cultivation. This study addresses the
prevalent issue of utilization of seed which was higher than recommended seed
rates, with most using 4-6 bushels of paddy seeds per acre although the
Department of Agriculture's recommendation was 2.5 bushels per acre. Therefore,
the study was predominantly directed to evaluate the effect of different seed
rates on plant growth and yield of the popular rice variety BG 94-1 in the
Sammanthurai Area of Ampara District. The experiment was conducted at the Rice
Research Station, Department of Agriculture, Sammanthurai, using a Randomized
Complete Block Design with five treatments ranging from seed rate 2.5 to 4.5
bushels per acre. Data collection was performed at vegetative and reproductive
stages, assessing plant density, tiller count, plant height, flowering
maturity, panicle length, and seed quality parameters. Statistical analysis
using SAS Software revealed that no significant differences were found between
treatments in terms of tiller number, plant height, flowering maturity, panicle
length, and filled and unfilled grains. Notably, plant height at maturity
displayed significant variation, with the lowest seed rate (2.5 bushels per
acre) resulting in the tallest plants. These findings emphasize that proper
seed rate management can potentially enhance rice cultivation practices and
contribute to improved agricultural productivity.
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Pages:36-40
How to cite this article:
A Thowfeeq Mohamed, S L Nawarathna, N P Vidanapathirana, K L Raisoon "Identify the effect of seed rates on plant growth and yield of popular rice variety BG 94-1 in Sammanthurai Area, Ampara District, Sri Lanka". International Journal of Botany Studies, Vol 10, Issue 2, 2025, Pages 36-40
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