Spatio-temporal Distribution Pattern of New Biotypes of Weedy Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Selangor North-West Project, Malaysia

Abstract

Weedy rice (Oryza sativa L.) occurred sympatrically with other weeds and the rice crop in Malaysian rice granaries. We conducted field surveys in 2006-2008 seasons in 7 farm blocks of Selangor's North West Project, Malaysia to enlist the new biotypes of weedy rice (NBWR) and assess their spatio-temporal pattern of distribution based on quantitative and dispersion indices. No less than 16 accessions of NBWR were identified based on their special traits, viz. panicle type, pericarp colour, presence or absence of awn, seed type and degree of grain shattering. The NBWR accessions exhibited a combination of morphological traits from open panicle, grain with awns, red pericarp, short grain type, and degrees of grain shattering. Others mimic commercial rices with close panicle, awnless grains, white pericarp, long or short grain-type. Invariably, the NBWRs mimic and stand as tall as cultivated rice namely MR219, MR220, or MR235 and these NBWR accessions stand among equals morphologically vis-a-vis the commercial rice varieties. Most accessions displayed varying degrees of grain shattering in excess of 50%, except Acc9 and Acc12. The seasonal dynamics of on the prevalence of dominant NBWR accessions were also displaying significant differences among farm blocks. While Bagan Terap farm block, for example, did not record any measurable changes in the dominant NBWR accessions over seasons, the Sungai Leman farm block recorded measurable season-mediated changes in the dominant NBWR accessions. Sungai Leman started with NBWR Acc3, Acc4, Acc5, Acc7, Acc8, and Acc12 in season 1 of 2006/2007, but no measurable records of Acc3 and Acc5 were shown in season 2 of 2007. In season 3 of 2007/2008, only Acc8 and Acc12 prevailed in the farm block. In Sawah Sempadan farm block, season 3 of 2007/2008 showed much reduced prevalence of NBWRs leaving only Acc8 and Acc12. Most accessions registered clump or under-dispersed spatial distribution pattern based on quantitative indices: variance-to-mean ratio (VMR) and Lloyd's patchiness values. The dynamics on the extent of infestation and prevalence of dominant NBWR accessions registered both season- and farm-block mediated differences. Most accessions showed VMR >1 thus indicative of having a clump or clustered spatial distribution, as exemplified by Acc3, Acc4, Acc7, Acc8 and Acc12 in all farm blocks throughout three seasons. Some accessions have either random or uniform distribution in a few farm blocks. The Acc8 has the highest population counts based on important value index, followed by Acc12, and both were the most dominant accession while Sawah Sempadan was the worst farm block infested by NBWR compared to other farm blocks. These results were discussed in relation with the current agronomic and weed management practices, water availability and extension services in the granary.