Evaluation of Rice Varieties for Growth and Yield Performance in Aerobic Cultivation

A field experiment was carried out to identify the best suitable rice variety for aerobic cultivation in the Cauvery delta region. Ten ruling varieties were sown for two consecutive Kharif seasons, with regular nutrient and weed management practices under aerobic condition. Growth parameters viz.,plant height, leaf area index, root length and dry root weight were studied. Similarly yield parameters viz., panicles m-2, Dry matter production at flowering and grain yield were studied. The study revealed that the rice variety ANNA 4, proved to be the best in terms of production (ie) 3.9 tonnesha-1 in the first season and 3.8 tonnesha-1 in the second season respectively. Pant height at different stages viz., maximum tillering, panicle initiation, flowering and harvest was highest in ANNA 4 followed by PMK 3.Similar was the case with root length,dry root weight, panicles m-2 and dry matter production at flowering stage. Leaf area index was highest for ADT 45 followed by IR50. The above results reveal that ANNA 4 is the most suitable rice variety for aerobic cultivation in the Cauvery delta region.