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Yoshida - 1981 - Fundamentals of Rice Crop Science

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RICE PLANT CHARACTERS IN RELATION TO YIELDING ABlLlTY 217<br />

The plant-type concept has since attracted considerable attention and more<br />

intensive examination in Japan (Murata 1961, Hayashi and Ito 1962, Hayashi<br />

1968, 1969). Experimental data for tropical varieties clearly demonstrate that<br />

certain morphological characters are indeed associated with yielding ability<br />

(Tanaka et al 1964, 1966a). Work on plant type has been well summarized and<br />

the concept appears to have been widely accepted by rice breeders in many<br />

countries as a guide for breeding high yielding varieties (Ishizuka 1971, Jennings<br />

1964, <strong>Yoshida</strong> 1972).<br />

The following morphological characters deserve particular attention:<br />

• Short, stiff culms.<br />

• Erect leaves.<br />

• High tillering.<br />

6.3.2. Short, stiff culms<br />

The increased resistance <strong>of</strong> improved varieties to lodging appears to be the single<br />

character most responsible for high yields. A short, stiff culm makes the rice plant<br />

more lodging resistant. Table 6.2 compares the yield performance <strong>of</strong> Peta, a tall,<br />

lodging-susceptible variety, with that <strong>of</strong> IR8. The mechanical support alone<br />

increased the grain yield <strong>of</strong> Peta by 60% in the wet season and by 88% in the dry.<br />

Although height is the most important plant character associated with lodging, a<br />

short variety is not always lodging resistant. There are differences in the stiffness<br />

<strong>of</strong> short culms (Chandler 1969).<br />

The importance <strong>of</strong> lodging resistance has long been recognized, but only in<br />

recent years has the semidwarf gene been effectively introduced into tropical rice<br />

varieties. In southern Japan, Hoyoku and its sister high yielding varieties are<br />

largely characterized by increased lodging resistance (Shigemura 1966).<br />

6.3.3. Erect leaves<br />

Erect leaves allow the deeper penetration and more even distribution <strong>of</strong> light,<br />

which results in increased crop photosynthesis (see Chapter 5).<br />

In one model, the crop photosynthesis <strong>of</strong> an erect-leaved canopy is about 20%<br />

higher than that <strong>of</strong> the droopy-leaved canopy when the LAI is extremely high (van<br />

Table 6.2. An example <strong>of</strong> the yield performance <strong>of</strong> IR8 and Peta<br />

in the wet and dry seaons. a<br />

Yield (t/ha)<br />

Variety<br />

Wet Dry Mean<br />

season b season c<br />

Peta, not supported 2.83 (100) 3.97 (100) 3.40 (100)<br />

Peta, supported 4.52 (160) 7.46 (188) 5.99 (176)<br />

IR8. not supported 6.10 (216) 9.10 (229) 7.60 (224)<br />

a <strong>Yoshida</strong>, et al (1972). b 1966, 30– x 30-cm, spacing, 100 kg N/ha.<br />

c 1968, 20- x 20-cm spacing, 120 kg N/ha.

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