Seeding rate effects on rough rice yield, head rice, and total milled rice

Without an adequate and uniform rice (Oryza sativa L.) stand, optimum rough rice yields are difficult to attain, Most seeding rate research has emphasized optimizing rough rice yields, with little consideration given to the effect of seeding rate on head rice (percentage of whole milled kernels) and total milled rice (percentage of whole milled kernels plus milled broken kernels). Thus, our objective was to assess the effect of seeding rate on head rice and total milled rice of two very early-season rice cultivars (Millie and Adair) and two midseason rice cultivars (Katy and Kaybonnet). The experiment was conducted at the Pine Tree Experiment Station near Colt, AR, during 1992 and 1993. The cultivar (maturity group) x seeding rate interaction was significant for head rice and total milled rice, suggesting that, for head rice and total milled rice, the four cultivars responded differently to seeding rate. There was a Linear decrease in head rice as seeding rate decreased for Millie, a quadratic decrease in head rice as seeding rate decreased for Adair, and a linear increase in head rice as seeding rate decreased for both Katy and Kaybonnet. We surmise that increased tillering and decreased kernel weights at the low-er seeding rates decreased the head rice for Adair and Millie. Total milled rice decreased linearly with decreasing seeding rate only for Adair. When evaluating thin rice stands for potential performance or replanting, both cultivar and head rice and total milled rice losses should be considered.