EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SEED MOISTURE CONTENT AT HARVEST ON SOME MORPHOLOGICAL AND YIELD CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT RICE CULTIVARS (ORYZA SATIVA L.)

Abstract

This experiment study the effects of different seed moisture contents (22, 20, 18, 16 and 14%) on some morphological and yield characters of some rice cultivars, Sakha 105, Sakha 106, Giza 179, Giza 178, Giza 182 and hybrid 2034. The moisture contents were assigned in main plot, while the rice cultivars were assigned in subplot, the main cultural practices were applied according to Rice Research &Training Center. The results showed that, the highest seed volume was recorded under the highest moisture content, but the lowest moisture content resulted in the lowest values for the remaining studied characters, on the other hand Sakha 106 was recorded to have the highest seed volume, plant height and 1000 grain weight, while, the Hybrid 2034 and Giza 178 were recorded the highest germination % and grain yield t/ha, which means the seeds should be died to 14% after harvesting and before storage to maintain the seed viability and increase the productivity. Finally, we concluded that, highest seed volume, plant height and 1000 grain weight was recorded in the case of Sakha 106, while the highest germination % and grain yield (t/ha) was recorded in the Hybrid 2034 and Giza 178, which means that the seeds should be dried to 14% moisture content after the harvested and before storage to maintain the seed viability and increase the productivity. Finally, the optimum date for harvesting rice cultivars under study should be determined.