Response of lowland rice genotypes to plant arrangement

Grain yield increase of lowland rice can be obtained through manipulation of plant arrangement. The objective of this research was to determine the response of grain yield of lowland rice genotypes with different types of plant and yield potentials to plant arrangement. Three experiments were conducted in the field, in Cachoeirinha, RS, Brazil, in the 1994/95, 1997/98 and 1998/99 growing seasons. In the first year, treatments consisted of three row spacings (12.5, 20 and 30 cm), three seed rates (75, 150 and 225 kg/ha), and two rice varieties (BR-IRGA 410 and IRGA 416). In the other two experiments, treatments consisted of four row spacings (12.5, 20, 30 and 40 cm), three seed rates (30, 90 and 150 kg/ha), and four rice varieties (959 line, XL-5 hybrid, BR-IRGA 410 and IRGA 416 commercial cultivars). In all experiments, the reduction of row spacing increased grain yield, regardless of rice genotype. With efficient weed control and adequate water management, seed rate can be reduced.