Comparative analysis of growth, yield and nutrient content in six rice varieties under slightly saline conditions in southwest coastal Bangladesh

Considering the threats of climate change to rice production in Bangladesh, one of the most climate-vulnerable countries, initiatives to boost rice production and improve grain nutrition are crucial. To identify the best rice variety, a field experiment was conducted with a Randomised Complete Block Design in slightly saline soil from December 2019 to April 2020. Six rice varieties (Black rice, Violet rice, BRRI dhan47, BRRI dhan28, BRRI dhan67 and Hybrid Hera dhan-6) were tested to evaluate growth, yield and nutrient content. Black rice was the tallest one; however, it produced the lowest tillers, leaves and shoots dry weight. Conversely, Hybrid Heradhan-6 was one of the shortest varieties and produced the highest tiller number and shoot dry weight. Hybrid Hera dhan-6 also yielded a higher grain yield, biological yield and harvest index and Black rice did the opposite. There was a negative linear relationship of plant height with tiller number and shoot dry weight and tiller number and biological yield served as the major contributors to the grain yield. Hybrid Hera dhan-6 also extracted the maximum amount of P and K. Therefore, Hybrid Hera dhan-6 was the best rice variety in terms of growth, yield and nutrient uptake.