Performance of different rice genotypes cultivated under submergence and normal growing conditions

Submergence negatively affects the plant growth and yield of rice genotypes, which in turn results in huge financial loss. Thus, identification of submergence tolerance rice genotypes is needed for sustainable rice cultivation in flood-prone areas. Keeping this in view, a two-year (2019 and 2020) field study was undertaken at Rice Research Farm of Bihar Agricultural College, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur to investigate and compare the yield responses of rice genotypes under submergence and normal growing conditions. Twenty-five days old seedlings of 25 rice genotypes were transplanted in a randomized complete block design in two replicates, which were allowed to grow under normal practice for the next 25 days. Thereafter, the 50-day old plants were completely submerged with turbid water of 1.5 m height for the next 18 days. After de-submergence, all the recommended agronomic practices were adopted during the rest of the crop period. Under submergence, higher grain yield was recorded under all the genotypes during 2020 as compared to 2019 mainly due to higher temperature and lesser rainfall during 2020. Under submergence conditions, Jalmagna, Nona Bokra and Swarna Sub 1 were the best performers having produced average yields of 3,167, 2,786 and 2,741 kg/ha, respectively. Whereas under normal growing practice, Swarna Sub 1, Jalmagna and Sudha were the first three best performing genotypes producing average yields of 5,063, 4,565 and 4,456 kg/ha, respectively. Therefore, Jalmagna should be preferred for cultivation in the flood-prone regions of the state, however in non-flooded areas; Swarna Sub 1 may be cultivated.