Evaluation of Indigenous and High Yielding Rice Varieties for Growing in Tidal Floodplain Ecosystem of Southern Bangladesh

Mohammad Jafar Ullah

doi:10.11648/j.aff.20160506.14

Abstract

Growth and yield of three indigenous varieties (Lalmota, Moulata and Sadamota) of aman rice was compared with that of two high yielding varieties (BRRI dhan 41 and BRRI dhan 44) in tidal floodplain ecosystem for two growing seasons. 45 d old seedlings transplanted in seedbed experienced repeated cycles of tidal submergence. Depth and duration of tidal flood differed between two growing seasons. Compared with high yielding varieties (HYVs), indigenous varieties developed longer seedlings and accumulated more dry mass prior to transplanting that helped survive repeated submergence. Planting density of indigenous varieties was about the half that of HYVs but developed more tillers per unit areas than HYVs. Seedlings of HYVs that survived had moderate tillering. HYVs ceased to develop tillers prior to flowering stage but the indigenous varieties continued growing tillers till maturity. In 2011-2012 season, HYVs produced higher yield than indigenous varieties but the trend reversed in the subsequent growing season. Number of panicles per unit area, number of spikelets per panicle, and 1000-grain weight largely contributed to higher yield. In absence of submergence tolerant HYVs, growing of indigenous rice varieties in the south central coastal region of Bangladesh could be the farmers’ better choice.

Highlights

Croplands in tidal floodplain of south central coastal districts of Bangladesh (Jhalakati, Barisal, Patuakhali, Pirojpur and Barguna) are subject to intermittent or continual submergence due to tidal flooding for an extended period during the year
Whether improved agronomic production practices could improve yield of these indigenous varieties requires to be investigated. It is against this backdrop, a series of field experiments, on-farm trials and adaptive trials were carried out in south central coastal district of Bangladesh to examine the adaptability of high yielding varieties (HYVs) aman rice in tidal floodplain
High yielding varieties of rice grown in tidal floodplain ecosystem performed differently in two growing seasons

Summary

Introduction

Croplands in tidal floodplain of south central coastal districts of Bangladesh (Jhalakati, Barisal, Patuakhali, Pirojpur and Barguna) are subject to intermittent or continual submergence due to tidal flooding for an extended period during the year. Four indigenous varieties or landraces – Moulata, Lalmota, Sadamota, and Dudhkalom dominate in the tidal floodplain in Jhalakati and Pirojpur districts [2] These varieties can survive usual tidal flood without substantial yield losses. Research comparing growth and yield performance of indigenous aman rice varieties and HYVs in the tidal floodplain ecosystem during aman season is inadequate or inconclusive. Whether improved agronomic production practices could improve yield of these indigenous varieties requires to be investigated. It is against this backdrop, a series of field experiments, on-farm trials and adaptive trials were carried out in south central coastal district of Bangladesh to examine the adaptability of HYV aman rice in tidal floodplain

Methods

Results

Conclusion