Effect of Sowing Dates on Some Morpho-physiological Traits of an Exotic (China) Hybrid Rice Variety in Bangladesh

This experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Botany experimental field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka during the period from January to April 2014 to study the effect of sowing times on the morpho-physiological attributes of an exotic (China) hybrid rice variety in Bangladesh. Five treatments were considered regarding 5 sowing dates or transplanting dates viz. (i) S1 = 1stsowing at 1st January 2014; transplanted at 21st January, (ii) S2 = 2nd sowing at 21st January; transplanted at 11th February, (iii) S3 = 3rd sowing at 11th February; transplanted at 3rd March, (iv) S4 = 4th sowing at 3rdMarch; transplanted at 23rd March and (v) S5 = 5th sowing at 23rd March; transplanted at 13th April. Data were recorded on different growth parameters to examine the effect of sowing times on the morpho-physiological attributes of the tested variety. The studied parameters were significantly affected by different sowing times or transplanting times. Results revealed that different parameters regarding morpho-physiological attributes, the seeds of the tested variety sown at 1st January 2014 and transplanted at 21stJanuary (S1) furnished the best results in respect of highest length of panicle at harvest (26.39 cm), and highest number of fertile tillers found from S2= sowing at 21st January; transplanted at 11th February compared to the seedling transplanted on other dates. However, the shortest days of booting, ear emergence and anthesis were found from S5 = 5th sowing 23rd March; transplanted at 13th April. It is revealed that early sowing facilitates tillering and late sowing helps in quick flowering. These findings can be used in further breeding program.