Effect of Seedling Age and Variety on Yield and Yield Parameters of Rice

Field experiments were conducted at the experimental block of National Rice Research Program, Hardinath, Dhanusha in rainy seasons of 2015 and 2016 with the objective of finding out the effects of age of seedling on growth, yield and yield attributes of rice. The experiments were laid out in split plot design with three replications in both years. Three rice genotypes, IR96319-6-3, NR1893 and Swarna Sub1 and four levels of four levels of age of seedlings (24, 36, 48 and 60 days old) were assigned to main and sub plots, respectively. The statistical analysis showed that the age of seedling had significant effect on days to heading and grain yield of tested rice varieties. Significantly earlier heading and higher grain yield was recorded with 60 and 24 days old seedlings, respectively. Most of the yield contributes parameters were found better with the earlier age of seedlings. Our study reflected that yield and yield contributes parameters were superior with the younger seedlings as compared to older seedlings. The variety and seed rate interaction was found non-significant for grain yield and its contributing parameters. This study showed that the 24 days old seedlings was found the best for high grain yield irrespective of varieties However, 48 days old seedlings could be used without significant reduction in grain yield under the climatic condition of Dhanusha.