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Management of rice production systems to increase productivity

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Days <strong>to</strong> 50% flowering Grain yield<br />

Plant height at harvest Harvest index<br />

Panicle count per m² Time spent on transplanting<br />

Number <strong>of</strong> grains per panicle Soil nutrient level<br />

Percentage filled grains per panicle Seedling growth rate<br />

1000 grain weight Root re‐growth rate<br />

3.3. Results and Discussions<br />

3.3.1. Diagnosing Seedling Growth Rate and Seedling Quality<br />

The optimum number <strong>of</strong> days in the nursery bed varies with the<br />

variety, air temperature, water temperature, and seeding rate. The optimum‐<br />

aged seedlings can hardly be expressed by the number <strong>of</strong> days. Although<br />

Gines et al. (1985) noted that pho<strong>to</strong>period sensitive cultivars were relatively<br />

insensitive <strong>to</strong> difference in age <strong>of</strong> seedling at transplanting, it must be noted<br />

that during the process <strong>of</strong> uprooting seedlings, physical damages <strong>to</strong> the roots<br />

occur and recovery from physical damages and adjustment <strong>to</strong> a new growth<br />

media after transplanting need <strong>to</strong> be taken in<strong>to</strong> consideration.<br />

For SRI management practices, seedlings at 2 leaves stage are<br />

recommended for transplanting. The age at which seedlings reach a specific<br />

leaf stage depends on agro‐climatic fac<strong>to</strong>rs and genotypic growth rate.<br />

Knowledge <strong>of</strong> the number <strong>of</strong> days seedlings will need <strong>to</strong> be ready for<br />

transplanting helps farmers plan their land preparation and transplanting<br />

calendar adequately. It is also important <strong>to</strong> identify the critical stage a<br />

seedling age has a significant impact on seedling quality. Farmers in The<br />

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