LOCAL CLIMATE AFFECTS GROWTH AND GRAIN PRODUCTIVITY OF PRECISION HILL-DIRECT-SEEDED RICE IN SOUTH CHINA

Temperature fluctuations at critical growth stages of rice may cause crop yield loss, shifts in crop growth periods as well as in sowing and harvesting times. Direct seeded rice has been proved as a the best alternative to transplanted rice and has been adopted successfully in many regions over the globe. This study was carried out to evaluate the productivity of rice sown under different environments with precision hill-direct-seeding method. Four rice varieties viz. Peizataifeng, Yuxiangyouzhan, Huahang 31 and Huayou 213 were sown in 6 different environments (E1-E6) by following split-plot design with four replications. Results showed that environments (E), varieties (V) and their interactions (E x V) significantly (p <= 0.01) affected seedling survival rate, grain yield and yield related traits like panicles m(-2), spikelets panicle(-1) (p <= 0.05), fully filled grain %, 1000-grain weight, harvest index as well as daily dry matter and grain productivity. Differential varietal response under different environments depicted that all environments remained productive regarding rice growth and yield except environment 3 (E3) that caused grain yield reduction up to 45.86%. The overall performance and yield response of rice varieties under different environments was recorded as: Huahang 31. Yuxiangyouzhan. Peizataifeng. Huayou 213. Further, correlation analysis showed significant and positive relationships of rice grain yield with yield contributing factors (r > 0.47) except panicles m(-2) and grains panicle(-1). Hence, fluctuations in regional/ local climatic conditions may cause shifts in sowing/planting times, poor stand establishment and seedlings survival rates that may lead to yield penalty in rice.