Yield and quality characters of basmati rice (Oryza sativa) under three cut-off date of irrigation

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) season of 2005 and 2006, to find out the suitable timing of withholding irrigation to basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.), by maintaining water saving and quality characters of grains intact. Cut-off timings of last irrigation at 28 and 35 days after 50% flowering, being at par with each other gave significantly higher yield and yield attributes of basmati rice than at 21 days after 50% flowering. Total water expense was 6.7 and 12.5% less under 21 days after 50% flowering cut-off timing than 28 and 35 days after 50% flowering respectively. However, water expense efficiency was increased with delay in termination of irrigation from 21 days after 50% flowering. Among the milling recoveries, head rice recovery improved significantly with delay in termination of irrigation from 21 to 28 days after 50% flowering and therafter remained at par. While, other quality parameters like brown rice recovery, length and breadth ratio and cooking qualities were influenced nonsignificantly with differential timings of cut-off irrigation to basmati rice.