Enhancing seed yield of hybrid rice by maintaining row ratio and dosages of gibberellic acid

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the optimum levels of gibberellic acid and suitable row ratio for maximization the seed yield of hybrid rice. An experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of Rice Research and Training Center, Egypt, during 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. The material under this study included the parental lines of IR69625A (Female lines) and Giza 179 R (Restorer line) to produce F0 hybrid seeds. A split-plot design with three replications was used. The main plot was row ratio (2R:8A, 2R:10A and 2R:12A) and sub plots was the doses of gibberellic acid (g/ha) (control, 300, 350, 400). The results indicated that, Application of GA3 and row ratio had significant effect on different traits of seed yield and hybrid seed production. The highest values of flag leaf area, panicle length, seed set, panicle weight, panicle exsertion and seed yield were acheived by using 2R: 8A row ratio and was observed the lowest values were obtained at the 2:12 row ratio. Acoording to gibberellic acid application, the highest values for panicle length (cm), seed set (%), panicle weight (g), panicle exertion (%), harvest index and seed yield were recorded by using 400 g /ha gibberellic acid. Accordingly, the highest net economic return from seed yield was obtained with the treatment combination of 400 g/ha GA3 x 2:8 (R: A) row ratio.