Increase in rice yield through the use of quality seeds in Bangladesh

Abstract

A farmer participatory research was conducted to determine the yield advantage of cleaned seeds over farmer-saved seeds in seven sites in Bangladesh in five cropping (three Boro and two transplant Aman) seasons. In each site, 30 participating farmers transplanted seedlings from cleaned seeds and their saved seeds of the same variety in adjacent plots in their fields. The results show a significantly higher grain yield in the cleaned seed than the farmer-saved seeds of 10.1% in Boro season and 11.3% in transplant (T) Aman season. The highest advantage in yield of cleaned seeds over farmer-saved seeds of 12.2% was observed in Barisal in Boro season, and 15.5% in Habiganj in T. Aman season. In the Boro season, significantly lower mean incidences of weeds below canopy, rice hispa, whiteheads, brown planthopper and bakanae were observed for cleaned seeds than for farmer-saved seeds. In the T. Aman season, significantly lower mean incidences of deadheart, whiteheads, gall midge, green leafhopper, other defoliators, sheath blight, sheath rot, and kernel smut were observed for cleaned seeds than for farmer-saved seeds. This indicates that using cleaned rice seeds increased grain yield, enhanced crop growth and also reduced damage from weeds, insect pests and diseases. Key words: Rice, seed health, quality, yield, farmer participatory research.