Vol. 12, Issue 9 (2023)

Author(s):
N Anando Singh, Sakhen Sorokhaibam, Kholu Mary, Sonika Yumnam, Jeti Konsam, Nilima Karam and Nancy Khairakpam

Abstract:
A field study was carried out at Hijam Khunou, Thoubal District, Manipur during Kharif season 2017 to evaluate and assess the efficacy of farmers’ rice varieties against the recommended state varieties and hybrids under Imphal Valley condition. A randomized block design (RBD) with three replications was adopted for designing the experiment. The study used nine different varieties of rice, viz., CAU R1, CAU R3, Arize-6444 (Gold), AZ-8433, Kathaiphou, Darum Phou, Rajen Phou, Sana Yanbi, and Kesho Phou at a spacing of 15cmx15cm between rows and 10cm x 10 cm between plants using one seedling per hill. The results of the experiment indicated that all nine rice varieties differed significantly in terms of the growth and yield contributing attributes. The maximum plant height (144.2 cm) was recorded in Rajen Phou. The maximum number of tillers hill^-1 (10.3), number of reproductive tillers hill^-1 (8.1), filled grains panicle^-1(199.4), grain yield (8900 kg ha^-1) and straw yield (14376 kg ha^-1) were found in AZ-8433. Higher panicle weight (4.1g), unfilled grains per panicle (49.2), stem thickness (2.5 cm), seed width (10.8 mm) and test weight (30.8 g) were observed in Darum Phou varieties. Longest panicle length (26.4 cm) was seen in Kesho Phou and seed length (10.2mm) in Sana Yanbi. Maximum days taken to reach 50% flowering (105 days) and maturity (140 days) were recorded in Arize-6444. The study also revealed that all the nine varieties were non-lodging, moderately resistant to stem borer, drought and bacterial leaf blight (BLB) disease. According to these findings hybrid variety AZ-8433 was performing better than the farmers’ varieties and state recommended varieties as it gives higher grain yield. However, it took longer duration for 50% flowering and physiological maturity when compared to farmers’ varieties.