IRRN GUIDELINES

The International Rice Research Newsletter objective is: To expedite communication among scientists concerned with the development of improved technology for rice and for rice-based cropping system. This publication will report what scientists are doing to increase the production of rice. inasmuch as this crop feeds the most densely populated and land-scarce nations in the world . . . IRRN is a mechanism to help rice scientists keep each other informed of current research findings. The concise reports contained in IRRN are meant to encourage rice scientists and workers to communicate with one another. In this way, readers can obtain more detailed information on the research reported. Please examine the criteria, guidelines, and research categories that follow. If you have comments or suggestions, please write the editor, IRRN, IRRI, P.O. Box 933, Manila. Philippines. We look forward to your continuing interest in IRRN. The International Rice Research Newsletter is a compilation of research briefs on topics of interest to rice scientists all over the world. Contributions to IRRN should be reports of recent work and work-inprogress that have broad interest and application. Please observe these guideline in preparing submissions: The report should not exceed two pages of double-spaced typewritten text. No more than two figures (graphs, tables, or photos) may accompany the text. Do not cite references or include a bibliography. Items that exceed the specified length will be returned. Include a brief statement of research objectives and project design. The discussion should be brief, and should relate the results of the work to its objectives. Report appropriate statistical analysis. Provide genetic background for new varieties or breeding lines. Specify the environment (irrigated, rainfed lowland, upland, deep water, tidal wetlands). If you must use local terms to specify landforms or cropping systems, explain or define them in parentheses. Specify the type of rice culture (e.g., transplanted, wet seeded, dry seeded). Specify seasons by characteristic weather (wet, dry, monsoon) and by months. Do not use national or local terms for seasons or, if used, define them. When describing the rice plant and its cultivation, use standard, internationally recognized designators for plant parts and growth stages, environments, management practices, etc. Do not use local terms.

Guidelines for contributors

When reporting soil

Criteria for IRRN research reports

has International, or pan-national, relevance has rice environment relevance advances rice knowledge uses appropriate research design and data collection methodology reports appropriate, adequate data applies appropriate analysis, using appropriate statistical techniques reaches supportable conclusions

nutrient studies, be sure to include standard soil profile description, classification, and relevant soil properties. Provide scientific names for diseases, insects, weeds, and crop plants; do not use common names or local names alone. Survey data should be quantified (infection percentage, degree of severity, sampling base, etc.). When evaluating susceptibility resistance, tolerance, etc., report the actual quantification of damage due to stress used to assess level or incidence. Specify the measurementsused. Use international measurements. Do not use local units of measure. Express yield data in metric tons per hectare (t/ha) for field studies and in grams per pot (g pot) or per row (g row) for small-scale studies. Express all economic data in terms of the US$. Do not use national monetary units. Economic Information should be presented at the exchange rate $:local currency at the time data were collected. Use generic name, not trade name, for all chemicals. When using acronyms or abbreviations, write the name in full on first mention, following it with the acronym or abbreviation in parentheses. Thereafter, use the abbreviation. Define in a footnote or legend any nonstandard abbreviation or symbols used in a table or figure.

Categories of research reported

GERMPLASM IMPROVEMENT genetic resources genetics breeding method yield potential grain quality and nutritional value disease resistance insect resistance drought tolerance excess water tolerance adverse temperature tolerance adverse soils tolerance integrated germplasm improvement seed technology research techniques data management and computer modeling

CROP AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT soils and soil characterization soil microbiology and biological N fertilizer physiology and plant nutrition crop management soil fertility and fertilizer management disease management insect management weed management managing other pests integrated pest management water management farm machinery environmental analysis postharvest technology farming systems research methodology data management and computer modeling SOCIOECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT environment production livelihood EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION training and technology transfer research communication research Information storage and retrieval

CONTENTS
GERMPLASM IMPROVEMENT
Genetics 4 Genetics of seedling elongation in rice Breeding methods 4 Use of Purple Puttu rice variety as a pollen barrier in CMS line seed production 4 Inbreeding depression of yield in rice hybrids 5 Micropropagation of cytosterile rice stocks 6 Tissue culture for Argentine rice (O. sativa L.) improvement 6 Morphoanatomy of rice embryoid development Yield potential 7 Models for predicting rice flowering Grain quality and nutritional value 8 Optical determination of rice grain chalkiness (Clk) 9 Protein content variation among rice varieties Disease resistance 9 Multiple resistance to bacterial blight (BB) and four fungal diseases 10 Isolation of a plasmid from strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae that cause bacterial blight (BB) in rice 11 Screening for blast (Bl) resistance in Hangzhou, China 11 Background resistance to bacterial blight (BB) hill and leaf infection 12 Neck blast (Bl) in newly released upland rice varieties in Brazil 13 Maintenance of virulence in Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae cultures 13 Leaf blast (Bl) outbreak at Faizabad, India Adverse temperature tolerance 14 Screening rice varieties for cold tolerance at seedling and reproductive stages Adverse soils tolerance 15 Effect of acidity on germination and growth of rice seeds Crop management 17 Environmental limitations to rice cultivation in the Punjab Soil fertility and fertilizer management 17 Effect of farmyard manure (FYM) supplemented with N, P, K on grain yield 18 Phosphorus requirements in a rice - wheat cropping system 18 Effect of two phosphorus sources with or without azolla incorporation on rice yield in the Senegal River valley Disease management 19 Four fungicides for control of grain infection caused by Helminthosporium oryzae 20 Distribution and severity of rice seedling diseases in boro seedbeds in Bangladesh 20 Managing rice sheath rot (ShR) disease in Kerala, India 21 Greenhouse trials of seed dress method for controlling sheath blight (ShB) 22 Rice ragged stunt virus (RSV) in aquatic weed Monochoria vaginalis Insect management 22 Influence of time of day and sweeping pattern on catches of green leafhoppers (GLH) 22 Effect of flooding on black bug Scotinophara coarctata (F.) egg parasitization 23 Host range and overwintering of rice pink stem borer (PSB) in a hilly region of India 24 Chemical control of rice stem borers (SB) in the Punjab 24 Monitoring susceptibility of rice pests to insecticides Water management 25 Influence of planting method and irrigation practices on rice water requirement Farm machinery 26 Manual rice transplanter use in Burma Farming systems 26 Pigeonpea genotypes and rice yield in an intercropping system 27 Rice-based cropping systems for optimum production under resource constraints

CROP AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Soils and soil characterization 15 Influence of soil texture on rice crop performance Soil microbiology and biological N fertilizer 16 Early, uniform stem nodulation in Sesbania rostrata after spray of Rhizobium culture Physiology and plant nutrition 16 Influence of nitrogen and zinc application on nutrient uptake by rice in different seasons

ERRATA ANNOUNCEMENTS
28 28 INSURF Planning Workshop New IRRI publications

GERMPLASM IMPROVEMENT
Genetics
Genetics of seedling elongation in rice
R. S. Tripathi, Agriculture Research Station, Banswara, India
Frequency distribution of parents and F2 for seedling elongation in Pankaj/Nageribao. Cuttack, India, 1977. Frequency distribution Plant height (cm) 0-10 10-20 20-30 30-40 40-50 50-60 60-70 70-80 80-90 90-100 100-110 110-120 120-130 130-140 Range (cm) Average Parents Pankaj 3 19 8 54.0-78.2 67.2 Nageribao 2 8 16 3 1 89.4-120.7 110.4 2 6 4 5 17 26 46 70 99 97 61 11 2 F2

We studied the inheritance of seedling elongation ability in an F2 population of Pankaj/Nageribao under deepwater conditions during the 1977 wet season at the Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack. F2 30-day-old seedlings and parental lines raised in shallow pans were submerged in 80 cm water. Seedling height was recorded after 10 d. The frequency distributions of F2s and parents are presented in the table.

In 446 F2 plants, 270 were 90-140 cm tall, with elongation rates equal to that of the Nageribao parent; 60 plants showed poor elongation (10-70 cm), comparable to Pankaj; and 116 were intermediate (70-90 cm), elongation ability better than that of Pankaj but not equal to that of Nageribao. The data are consistent with two dominant complementary genes for elongation ability. Presence of both genes ( Sel 1 and Sel 2) gave elongation ability like that of the Nageribao parent. Absence of either of the genes resulted in segregants with intermediate elongation ability; absence of both resulted in plants like the Pankaj parent.

Breeding methods
Use of Purple Puttu rice variety as a pollen barrier in CMS line seed production
M. Rangaswamy, K. Natarajamoorthy, and S. R. Sree Rangasamy, School of Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, India

We assessed the distance of pollen dispersal across lines of Purple Puttu 90 d after sowing, which coincides with anthesis in the CMS lines now available at the Coimbatore Paddy Breeding Station. Purple Puttu has long duration (150 d) and is highly photoperiod sensitive (120 d to flowering in the wet season, does not flower in the dry). Glass slides smeared with vaseline and acetocarmine-glycerine were tied at 60 cm high to bamboo stakes between six rows (15- 10-cm spacing) of Purple Puttu. One gram fresh anthers collected at 0800 h from a number of varieties were bulked and kept in closed muslin cloth bags in a petri dish under

sunlight to 1000 h. The petri dishes were placed 15 cm from the first stake at the level of the glass slides and the muslin cloth removed to allow anther sacs and pollen grains to disperse by natural wind velocity (7.2 km/ h to a height of 3 m). Three such dispersals were made. The slides were collected and the number of anther sacs and pollen grains per square inch counted. Where there were no plants of Purple Puttu in front of the slide, anther sacs averaged 2.33 and pollen grains 12.66. After the first row of Purple Puttu, anther sacs averaged 1.66 and pollen grains 6.33 per square inch; after the second row, there
Rice pollen pollen barrier. Purple Puttu row number 0 row Row 1 Row 2 Row 3 Row 4 Row 5
a

were no anther sacs, and pollen grains averaged 0.33 (see table). At least 3 lines of Purple Puttu at 15 10-cm or closer spacing around CMS line seed production plots can effectively intercept pollen and anther sac dispersal between different cytosterile lines. An added advantage is that Purple Puttus purple foliage distinguishes it from other varieties.

Inbreeding depression of yield in rice hybrids

M. Rangaswamy, H. Natarajamoorthy, and S. R. Sree Rangasamy, School of Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, India

dispersal a

with Purple Puttu as a

Av for 3 applications Anthers/inch2 2.33 1.66 Pollen/inch 2 12.66 6.33 0.33 0.33

Wind velocity at 3 m = 7.2 km/h.

Seven IRRI medium-duration hybrids (130-140 d) were tested in 1986 wet season as F 1 (3 replications) and in 1987 dry season as F 2 (4 replications) for inbreeding depression of grain yield. Grain yields in the F 2 ranged from -28.59 to 3.62% compared to the F 1 (see table). The same F1 and F2 were

4 IRRN 13:2 (April 1988)

compared with standard variety CO 43. Inbreeding depression ranged from -30.69 to -0.43%. Hybrids

IR54752A/ IR19392-2 11-1 and IR54752A/ IR4422-480-2-3-3 had yield stability in the F 2, with low inbreeding

depression (-0.43 and -0.58%, respectively). Their standard heteroses were not significant.

Inbreeding depression (ID) of grain yield in hybrid rice.a Tamil Nadu, India, 1986-87. F1 yield (t/ha) 1986 WS 4.5 4.5 6.0 7.0 6.4 4.2 5.5 6.4 1.1 100 Standard heterosis (%) 29.0 29.0 6.4 +10.6 + 0.4 34.2 14.1 F2 yield (t/ha) 1987 DS 3.9 4.5 4.8 5.6 6.2 4.4 3.9 6.6 1.0 Standard heterosis (%) 40.8 32.1 26.2 14.8 0.1 33.8 40.5 F1 yield over standard (%) 1986 WS 71.0 71.0 93.6 110.6 100.4 65.8 85.9 100.0 F2 yield over standard (%) 1987 DS 59.2 67.9 73.8 85.2 100.0 66.2 59.5 100.0 ID over standard (%) 16.6 4.3 21.1 23.0 0.4 0.6 30.7

Hybrid, variety

ID (% ) 14.0 1.4 18.8 20.6 2.5 + 3.6 28.6 + 3.0

IR46828A/IR13524-21-2-3-3-2-2 IR46830A/IR13292-5-3 IR54752A/IR54 IR54752A/IRl4753-120-3 IR54752A/IR19392-211-1 IR54752A/IR4422-480-2-3-3 IR54752A/IR20933-68-28-1-2 CO 43 (standard) LSD

a

ID =

F2 - F1 F

Micropropagation of cytosterile rice stocks

D. S. Kumari, N. P. Sarma, and G. J. N. Rao, Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), Cuttack 753006, India

We have propagated cytosterile rice stocks by regenerating plants in callus culture. The important consideration in applying in vitro methods for propagation is to retain the genetic integrity of the original stock. There is a risk of genetic variation in plants regenerated after an intermediate callus growth phase. In vitro propagation of rice by inducing axillary shoots or regeneration from nodal buds ensures against the possibility of genetic variation among the regenerants. Dehusked and surface sterilized seeds of cytosterile stock V20A were germinated on Murashige and Skoogs (MS) medium with 50 g sucrose/liter but without auxins. Six-day-old excised seedling shoots, without radicle and endosperm, were implanted on fresh MS medium supplemented with benzyladenine (BA) at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/liter. The cultures were maintained at 25 + 1 C with 16 h photoperiod/d.

After 3 wk, multiple axillary shoots formed from the basal region of the implanted shoots. Axillary shoot formation was highest with 2 mg BA/liter (Table 1). When clumps of multiple shoots were about 1 cm long, they were separated
Table 1. Multiple shoot formation of the cytosterile stock V20A after 3 wk in culture. CRRI, Cuttack, India. Mediuma MS + 0.5 MS + 1.0 MS + 1.5 MS + 2.0
aMS

Shoots implanted (no.) 17 18 17 16

Axillary shoots (no.) induced after 3 wk 40 58 80 82

mg BA mg BA mg BA mg BA

basic medium with 50 g sucrose/liter.

and used as fresh implants on MS medium containing different levels of BA, kinetin (K), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and indolebutyric acid (IBA) (Table 2). The number of shoots increased slightly with the addition of K to the medium. The best results were with BA. Adding NAA with BA did not promote root growth; adding IBA with BA induced weak roots. Root growth was vigorous in MS medium supplemented with NAA alone, but axillary shoots were suppressed. These results suggest that induction of multiple axillary shoots in vitro is feasible for the micropropagation of valuable cytosterile stocks. Continuous axillary shoot production is possible,

Table 2. Effect of different growth regulators in multiple shoot and root formation. CRRI, Cuttack, India. Mediuma MS-1 MS-2 MS-3 MS-4 MS-5 MS-6 MS-7 MS-8
aMS

Growth regulators (mg/liter) BA 2 2 2 2 2 K 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 NAA 1 1 1 1.5 IBA 1

Shoots implanted (no.) 26 24 14 20 20 18 12 12

Axillary shoots produced (no.) 100 37 43 68 54 31 21 12

Root growth b ++ ++ + +++

basic medium with 50 g sucrose/liter. b+ = weak, ++ = good, +++ = very good.

IRRN 13:2 (April 1988)

eliminating the risk of somaclonal variation in successive subcultures. A logical extension of the rate of multiplication through successive cultures should yield 1 5 n axillary shoots, where n is the number of subcultures, with each cycle requiring 3-4 wk. Since rooting is essential to establish the shoots in soil, an additional cycle on MS medium supplemented with root-inducing auxin NAA at 1.5 mg/liter may be necessary.

Table 1. Variation among the first progeny of Gualeyan P. A. regenerated plants (R 2) and progeny of the original variety. Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1987. Trait Panicle length (cm) Grain with husk Length (mm) Width (mm) Grain without husk Length (mm) Width (mm)
a **

Gualeyan 17.66 9.35 3.82 7.11 3.11

R2 progeny Mean 22.08 9.13 3.52 7.78 2.89 Range 12.09-25.6 8.5 - 9.85 4.0 - 3.0 6.3 - 1.85 2.5 - 3.15

F testa ** ** ** ** **

= significant at 1% level.

Tissue culture for Argentine rice ( O. sativa L.) improvement

M. A. Rapela and M. A. Marassi, Instituto Fitotcnico de Santa Catalina, Facultad de Agronomia, Universidad Nacional de la Plata, C. C. 4, 1836 Llavallol, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Table 2. Variation among the first progeny of Yerua F. A. regenerated plants (R2) and progeny of the original variety. Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1987. Trait Panicle length (cm) Grain with husk Length (mm) Width (mm) Grain without husk Length (mm) Width (mm)
a

Yerua 21.14 10.34 3.54 7.94 3.1

R2 progeny Mean 22.30 9.67 3.74 7.51 3.04 Range 12.3 - 3.0 11.0 - 6.5 3.25- 4.3 6.5 - 8.7 26.5 - 4.1

F testa ** ns * * **

Seeds of Argentine rice varieties Yerua F.A. and Gualeyan P.A. were cultured on Murashige and Skoogs (MS) basic salts supplemented with 2 mg 2,4-D/liter of medium in darkness at 28 C. Callus formed 15 d after inoculation. Callus induction was 100% in both varieties. Calli were subcultured on a regeneration medium with the same basic salts supplemented with 1 mg BAP/liter. Plant regeneration was 30% in Yerua, 50% in Gualeyan. The plantlets were transferred to pots containing sterile vermiculite and watered with 1/4 MS salts. After 1 wk, they were transplanted to the greenhouse and grown to maturity. Seeds were obtained from all the plants, although fertility was not 100%. Seeds from the regenerated plants and seeds from the original varieties were planted at 20- 20-cm spacing and conventional cultivation procedures followed. At maturity, sample plants were collected to evaluate agronomic traits; the rest were used for testing yield characteristics and blast resistance. The first progeny of plants regenerated from Gualeyan (R 2 ) showed higher tillering ability than the original variety; 20% had a different husk color.

Significant at 1% (**) and 5% (*) levels.

Panicle length and two grain dimensionswith and without husk also significantly differed (Table 1). The first progeny of plants regenerated from Yerua (R 2 ) showed low plant height and significant differences for panicle length, grain width with husk, and grain length

without husk (Table 2). This study showed a definite trend toward more somaclonal variation in Gualeyan than in Yerua. The tissue culture-derived plants may be useful as sources of new germplasm.

Morphoanatomy of rice embryoid development

F. J. Zapata and D. C. de Castro, Tissue Culture Laboratory, Plant Breeding Department, IRRI

Histological studies of cultured embryos during the early stages of cell proliferation provide information about the initial sites and patterns of cell division activity and subsequent differentiation. Morphological observations through the scanning electron microscope (SEM) provide a clear picture of the natural concaveconvex appearance of the various stages of embryoid development.

Dehulled mature seeds of rice variety Tetep were sterilized and inoculated in Linsmaier and Skoogs (LS) medium, each liter containing 1 mg 2,4dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) gelled with 1% agar. Cultures were maintained in darkness at 26-27 C. The scutella were isolated from embryos still embedded in the seed after 1 wk in culture. Samples for histological and SEM analysis were taken 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 d after seed inoculation; subsequent samples from subcultures were taken every 4 wk. For plant regeneration, 3-mo-old calli were transferred to Murashige and Skoogs (MS) medium, each liter containing 4 mg benzylaminopurine

6 IRRN 13:2 (April 1988)

(BAP), 0.5 mg indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 0.5 mg naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 500 mg casein hydrolysate, and 3% sucrose gelled with 0.8% agar. The calli were incubated at 26-27 C in continuous 3000 lux light intensity. Active cell division took place in the scutellum, especially on the subepidermal (sep) portion (see figure, 1-2). Calli formed on day 6 of culture. Elongated structures were visible at the periphery of the scutellum on day 10 (3). Cells pushed out the epithelial layer, giving the scutellum a wavy appearance. Active cell division was visible on day 12. Smooth, compact, round and whitish embryoids were obtained after 3 wk in culture (4). Anatomical observations showed embryogenic calli with densely packed cells, prominent nucleus, and thin cell walls (5). Nonembryogenic calli had loosely packed cells, hardly visible nuclei, and thick cell walls (5).

A SEM study (7) showed globular and organized structures (e) proliferating at the surface of the nonembryogenic calli (ne). Embryoids containing the scutellar portion, coleorhiza, and a developing coleoptile (8) were exactly

like the zygotic embryo, but sometimes did not have synchronized development. Embryogenic calli transferred to regeneration medium produced prolific shoots and plantlets from embryoids after 3 wk in culture.

Yield potential
Models for predicting rice flowering
A. B. Dua and D. P. Garrity, Multiple Cropping Department, IRRI

Models for predicting flowering in cereals are often location specific. We developed simple temperaturedependent regression models that can estimate flowering in lowland irrigated rice. Data from 43 rice experiments conducted at 23 irrigated sites in Asia, Africa, and Latin America that ranged from 09'S latitude (Ahero, Kenya) to 3716'N latitude (Suweon, Korea) were evaluated for relationships between mean temperature, photoperiod, and flowering date. Three maturity groups, represented by cultivars IR9729-67-3 (very early), IR36

and BG35-2 (early), and Taichung Sen Yu 285 (medium), were tested for best fit to generalized thermal or photoperiod models. Thermal units (T u) for each 24-h interval had been recorded in agrometeorological stations in the vicinity of the experiments. Daily thermal units were calculated as the mean of the daily maximum (T max) and minimum (T min) temperatures and summed for the period from seeding to flowering (SF). Accumulated thermal units for the period transplanting to flowering (TF) also were computed. Photoperiod (p) at panicle initiation was estimated, using meteorological algorithms. Reciprocals of the durations of SF and TF were calculated as the average rate of progress toward flowering. Average rate of progress toward flowering showed a curvilinear trend with mean temperature (see figure). This relationship was derived from data across the four

Rice embryoid development: 1 = longitudinal section of a seed embryo showing the coleorhiza (cr), coleoptile (cl), scutellum (sc), and subepidermal layer (sep); 2 = callus formation at the subepidermal layer of the sc; 3 = thallus structure proliferating from the surface of the sc; 4 = 3-mo-old smooth, compact, round, and whitish embryoids; 5 = an embryogenic callus; 6 = a nonembryogenic callus; 7 = scanning electron micrograph of embryogenic calli (e) proliferating at the surface of nonembryogenic (ne) calli; 8 = scanning electron micrograph of an embryoid with sc, cr, and a developing cl. IRRI, 1987.

Rate of development from seeding to flowering of IR36 (1/f) vs mean temperature.

IRRN 13:2 (April 1988)

Photo-thermal models for predicting flowering in IR36 across locations. Screened data set of 43 trials from a global rice-weather study. 1987. Model Seeding to flowering 1. 1/f = a + b*Tmean 2. 1/f = a + b*TU 3. 1/f = a + b *TU+c*p+d*p 2 Transplanting to flowering 1. 1/f = a + b*Tmean 2. 1/f = a + b*TU 3. 1/f = a + b*TU+c*p+d*p2 Regression coefficientsa a 0.00165ns (0.00233) 0.02171** (0.000994) 0.0733** (0.0236) 0.00334ns (0.00359) 0.0302** (0.00117) 0.0707* (0.0307) b 0.00471** (0.00009) 0.0000425** (3.93 E-07) c d R2 CV

0.39 13.0 0.75 8.2 6.8

0.00000385** 0.0148** 0.000579** 0.79 (4.57 10 E-10) (0.00366) (0.000141) +0.000695** (0.00138) 8.64 E-06** (6.44 E-07) 8.15 E-06** (8.28 E-07)

0.37 12.7 0.81 7.0 6.3

+0.0156** 0.000607** 0.78 (0.00476) (0.00184)

a *, ** = 0.05 and 0.01 significance levels, respectively, ns = estimated values not significant at the 5% level. 1/f = progress toward flowering, i.e., the reciprocal of the time from seeding to flowering (SF) or transplanting to flowering (TF). p = photoperiod. TU = accumulated thermal units. Tmean = mean temperature (C) from seeding to flowering.

latitude groups. The optimum temperature for maximum development rate in IR36 was 26.8 C. A simple model using accumulated thermal units accurately estimated the rate of progress toward flowering (see table). Best fit models included a quadratic photoperiod term (p) that accounted for daylength effects. Models for genotypes maturing earlier (IR972967-3 and BG35-2) and later (Taichung Sen Yu 285) than IR36 were very similar in performance. These data may be useful in developing simulation models of rice growth and development that rely on an accurate prediction of phenological events under a wide range of temperatures and daylengths.

Grain quality and nutritional value

Optical determination of rice grain chalkiness (Clk)
Jin Qingsheng and Qiu Baiqin, Crop Institute, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences (ZAAS), Hangzhou, China

early season 1986. Samples of whole milled rice were tested, with three replications. Mean translucency and corresponding Clk scale are shown in the table. A significant negative correlation was

found between grain translucency and Clk (see figure). For rice breeding work or in grading for market value, this meter can be used instead of visual rating to measure the degree of Clk. Optical determination of Clk is not possible with waxy rice because the opaque endosperm also reduces grain translucency.

We used a digital grain translucency meter (DWY-1A model, manufactured by ZAAS) to measure grain translucency of 17 IR varieties grown in
Grain translucency and Clk rating in milled rice of 17 IR varieties, evaluated by digital translucency meter. Hangzhou, China, 1986. Variety IR22 IR24 IR28 IR30 IR34 IR36 IR38 IR43 IR44 IR45 IR46 IR52 IR54 IR56 IR60 IR62 IR64 Translucency (%) 90.7 81.0 84.0 70.0 88.0 86.3 80.7 79.7 84.3 86.7 82.3 78.7 89.0 85.0 85.7 90.7 77.3 Clk 1.4 2.8 2.6 6.5 3.3 3.2 5.2 3.9 3.6 5.0 1.0 1.4 1.5 1.0 1.0 1.0 4.1

Relationship between Clk scale and translucency measured in milled rice of 17 IR varieties,

1986.

8 IRRN 13:2 (April 1988)

Protein content variation among rice varieties

M. Jayapragasam, A. Manickam, N. M. Ahamad, and B. Thayumanavan, Biochemistry Department, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, India

Mean and dispersal coefficient of variation of protein content of grain of some rice varieties. Tamil Nadu, India. Varieties Soluble protein Samples (no.) 39 18 18 4 10 6 50 8 11 77 24 1 Mean (%) 0.5 1 0.97 0.68 0.5 6 0.81 0.48 1.05 0.89 1.00 0.57 0.74 CV (%) 63.3 38.7 36.8 24.3 32.3 37.3 30.0 39.7 24.0 40.4 48.2 Samples (no.) 40 18 28 4 10 8 39 50 8 11 78 294 Total protein Mean (%) 9.08 8.87 8.1 1 7.32 8.50 7.18 8.45 8.74 9.10 7.64 7.62 8.26 CV (%) 17.9 18.7 12.8 14.6 18.8 12.1 5.5 16.1 17.4 20.8 17.3 17.2

We analyzed the grain of 294 rice genotypes raised in the same field under similar cultural operations for protein content, using conventional microKjeldahl method. Grain samples were dehusked by hand-pounding. Brown rice protein content was expressed as dry weight % after multiplying by 5.95. Total protein varied from 4.94% in Ratna and Sona to 12.86% in ADT21. ASD10, T3 (Tainan), and T8 had protein contents higher than 12%. Thirty samples contained more than 10% protein; 112 samples, 8-10%; 137 samples, 6-8%; and 15 samples, less than 6%. Ten of 40 ADT varieties had more than 10% protein. TKM and ADT

ADT varieties ASD varieties CO varieties CO32 mutants CO33 mutants IR varieties Ponni/IR8 (F 4) Tainan varieties TKM varieties TKM6 mutants Other varieties All genotypes

varieties had the highest average protein content, 9.1%. Hot-water soluble protein estimated colorimetrically by Lowry's method showed greater variation than total protein (see table). The Tainan types had the highest average soluble protein content (1.05%). Total protein and soluble protein contents of the grain

were not significantly correlated. Protein of 62 varieties soluble in 0.1 M NaOH and determined by Lowrys method was very highly significantly correlated with micro-Kjeldahl protein (r = 0.93**). The coefficient of variation for data from Lowry's method (18.11%) was slightly lower than that for the micro-Kjeldahl method (19.41%).

Disease resistance
Multiple resistance to bacterial blight (BB) and four fungal diseases
R. N. Singh and A. T. Khan, N. D. University of Agriculture and Technology, P. O. Dabha Semar, District Faizabad 224133, U. P. India

Resistance of varieties and lines to BB, ShR, BS, FS, and NBLS.a Uttar Pradesh, India, 1986-87 wet season. Disease BB ShR BS FS NBLS
a Data

Varieties (%) Disease-free 0 0.4 0 26.2 65.7 Resistant 42.0 45.4 23.2 43.0 3.4 Moderately susceptible 47.2 48.5 73.0 24.0 13.7 Susceptible 10.7 5.6 3.9 6.8 17.2

based on 233 varieties except for FS and NBLS, where observations were recorded on 221 and 231 lines. respectively.

We tested 233 rice varieties and lines in the 1986 National Screening Nursery and Multiple Resistance Screening Trial for resistance to BB, sheath rot (ShR), brown spot (BS), false smut (FS), and narrow brown leaf spot (NBLS) diseases during 1986-87 wet season. Each test entry was planted in 2-m-long rows at 20- 15-cm spacing. Plants in half of the rows were clipinoculated with a suspension of a local isolate of Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae (Ishiyama) Dye at maximum tillering. BB was rated at 15 and 30 d after inoculation. Reactions to high natural BS, NBLS, ShR, and FS disease

pressure were taken on plants in the other half of the rows. No variety or line escaped BB and BS (see table). Only one remained free of ShR; 26.2% escaped FS. Because NBLS appeared late in the season, a majority of the varieties (65.67%) escaped the disease; however, the highest number of entries showed susceptibility. More varieties showed resistance to ShR (45.45%) and moderate susceptibility to BS (72.96%); fewer were resistant (3.43%) and moderately susceptible (13.74%) to NBLS. IET8958, IET9313, IET9843, and

IR50 showed multiple resistance to BB, ShR, BS, and FS; IET8340 showed resistance to BB, ShR, FS, and NBLS. Entries with multiple resistance to three diseases included IET7511, IET7720, IET7978, RP16691-2897-5526, and IR29652-65-2-3 to ShR, BS, and FS; IET8022, IET8023, IET9965, and IR32429-45-3-2-6 to BB, ShR, and BS; IET8364, IET8653, IET8611, and IET9799 to BB, BS, and FS; and IET8588 to ShR, FS, and NBLS. A large number of entries possess resistance to two diseases, many others are resistant to one disease.

IRRN 13:2 (April 1988)

Isolation of a plasmid from strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae that cause bacterial blight (BB) in rice
Vijai Pal, Plant Pathology Department, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125004, India; and L. Gardan and M. Charles, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Station de Pathologie Vegetale et Phytobacteriologie, Beacouze 49000 Angers, France

One or more indigenous plasmids in several phytopathogenic spp. of Agrobacterium, Corynebacterium, Erwinia, Pseudomonas, and Xanthomonas have been demonstrated to carry the determinants of bacterial pathogenicity. We investigated the presence of plasmids in various strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae and evaluated their physical and pathological properties. Strains 1948 and 1981 came from the national collection of phytopathogenic bacteria, INRA, Angers, and strains XCOH-9 and XCOH-40 from Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India. Strain L5-30 of Rhizobium meliloti with plasmid pRMe, molecular weight (MW) 89 106 dalton; strain M 175.4 of Enterobacter cloacae with 2 plasmids, MW 155 106 and 71 106 dalton; strain V-517 of Escherichia coli with

2. Electron microphotograph of plasmid DNA isolated from Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae.

1. Agarose gel electrophoresis of plasmid DNA of known MW along with the 4 strains of X. campestris pv. oryzae. Track 1, lysate from strain 1948; 2, lysate from strain XCOH-9; 3, lysate from Rhizobium meliloti strain L5-30 carrying plasmid pRMe (MW 89 106 dalton); 4, strain 1981; 5, lysate from E. coli strain V-517 carrying plasmid pVA517A(MW 35.8 10 6 dalton); 6, lysate from E. cloacae strain M 175.4 carrying plasmids pRE-175 upper band (MW 155.3 106 dalton) and lower band (MW 71.5 106 ); 7, lysate from XCOH-40.

plasmid pVA517A, MW 35.8 106 dalton; and several other plasmids ranging in size from 1.36 106 dalton to 4.8 106 dalton were used as reference strains for measuring the MW of the plasmid species of X. c. pv. oryzae. All the strains were grown overnight in 5 ml broth in a shaker at 28 C. The cells were harvested by centrifuging at 8000 g 10 min and thoroughly resuspended in 2 ml of E-buffer (40 mM Tris-acetate, pH 9, 2 mM sodium EDTA). The suspension was lysed by adding 4 ml of lysis solution (3% sodium dodecyl sulfate in 50 mM Tris-OH buffer, pH 12.6) at 90 C for 20 min. The lysate was emulsified with 6 ml of phenol-chloroform mixture (1:1 by volume) and centrifuged for 10 min at 8000 g. The upper aqueous phase was recovered and used for agarose gel electrophoresis (0.7% agarose in a vertical Lucite slab gel apparatus). The gels were stained in ethidium bromide solution (0.4 g/ml) and visualized over an UV-transilluminator (Fig. 1). The MW of the plasmid was estimated by electron microscopy and by plotting the relative mobility of plasmid DNA bands in the agarose gel against the logarithm of plasmid MW of reference standards determined previously by electron microscopic and

physical measurement. The MW of the plasmid of X. c. pv. oryzae was about 20.3 106 to 21 106 dalton as determined by electron microscopy and agarose gel electrophoresis (Fig. 2). Taichung Native 1 rice seedlings grown in plastic pots (12 cm diam) were individually inoculated by tip clipping at 90 d after sowing with all the test strains of X. c. pv. oryzae. Each strain was reisolated from diseased seedlings (after five pathological tests in serial) and the plasmids again analyzed by gel electrophoresis. All four reisolated strains showed the presence of a plasmid with the same MW, indicating the stability of this plasmid in the different strains. The presence of a plasmid in X. c. pv. oryzae strains may provide an opportunity for understanding the involvement of indigenous plasmids in BB development.

The International Rice Research Newsletter is mailed free to individuals and institutions engaged in rice research and training. For further information, write IRRI, Communication and Publications Dept., Division R, P.O. Box 933, Manila, Philippines.

10 IRRN 13:2 (April 1988)

Screening for blast (Bl) resistance in Hangzou, China

Shen Ying, Yuan Xiao-ping, and Huang Shiwen, China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI); and Lu Fu-ying, Zhejiang Agricultural University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

spore suspension sprayed at 2 wk after transplanting to help initiate infection. The spore suspension concentration was adjusted to 5 10 5 /ml. Seedling, leaf, and neck Bl were scored at four leaf ages, maximum tillering, and maturity. Of 113 entries screened, 19 were

resistant to Bl (see table). C721313, C731110, HPU5010-PLP21-2-1B, IR13524-21-2-3-3-2-2, IR31868-64-2-3-33, IR32429-122-3-1-2, IR39379-20-1-2-11, IR7732-RGA-B-A96-1 have good grain quality and high yield potential.

Rice Bl is one of the most widely distributed diseases in China. Heavy infections on panicles are often detrimental to rice yields. We screened 113 entries under natural disease pressure at the CNRRI Fuyang Experiment Station during 1987. One-month-old seedlings were transplanted in 2 rows at 20- 20-cm spacing. One row each of susceptible checks Yuan Feng Zao and Guang Lu Ai No. 4 and resistant check Er Jiu Feng were transplanted between each entry and on all sides. Soil was sandy loam with medium fertility. Fertilizer was applied at 75-37.5-25 kg NPK/ ha. A local predominant strain of the Bl pathogen was collected and isolated from naturally infected leaves and a
Varieties or lines resistant to B1 at CNRRI, Fuyang Experiment Station, Hangzhou, China, 1987. Variety or line BG380-2 C712035 C721313 C731110 HPU5010-PLP21-2-1B IR13524-21-2-3-3-2-2 IR19349-135-2-3-2-1 IR19670-57-1-1-3 IR31868-64-2-3-3-3 IR32429-122-3-1-2 IR35353-94-2-1-3 IR35410-16-3-2-2-2-2 IR37865-29-3-1-3 IR39379-20-1-2-1-1 IR7732-RGA-B-A96-1 SR9713-31-2-3 Suakoko 8 (2526) Tetep 32-Xuan-5-B Er Jiu Feng (resistant check) Guang Lu Ai No. 4 (susceptible check)
a

Background resistance to bacterial blight (BB) hill and leaf infection

T. W. Mew and C. M. Vera Cruz, IRRI

In the Philippines, rices with the Xa-4 gene for resistance to race 1 of Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae are affected by the virulence of race 2, the dominant bacterial pathogen population. Although more than 80% of the rice area is planted to varieties with such resistance, BB occurs endemically in specific localities. The level of infection varies, even though the same resistance gene Xa-4 confers resistance.

We assessed reactions of commonly planted varieties to both virulent and avirulent races to determine if other components influence their resistance. Races 1 and 2 and IR20, IR22, IR26, IR36, IR42, IR48, IR50, IR54, IR56, IR58, IR60, and IR62 (all known to carry Xa-4) were used. Plants raised in the screenhouse were inoculated at 21 d after sowing with isolate PXO 61 of race 1 (avirulent) and PXO 86 of race 2 (virulent). IR24, which carries no gene for BB resistance, was the susceptible check. Hill and leaf/ hill infection was measured at three growth stages. The relative resistance index (RI) used

Resistance or susceptibility of IR cultivars carrying Xa-4 gene for BB resistance to 2 races of Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae at 3 growth stages. a IRRI, 1986 dry season. Early tillering Variety Hill infection (%) 91.6 91.6 45.8 43.8 37.6 33.4 33.4 27.0 27.0 25.0 20.8 18.8 73.0 95.8 98.0 91.6 70.8 75.0 58.4 68.8 66.6 43.8 39.6 75.0 Leaf infection (%) 29.6 28.4 11.4 11.8 11.2 7.2 6.8 7.4 9.6 7.6 5.6 3.8 23.8 30.8 31.8 29.2 23.0 25.0 16.8 17.8 15.6 22.4 11.8 26.2 Maximum tillering Hill infection (%) PXO 61 91.6 87.4 50.0 33.4 6.2 12.4 18.8 29.2 20.8 12.4 35.4 6.2 PXO 86 87.6 91.6 100 77.0 60.4 62.4 81.2 79.0 85.4 58.4 67.6 64.6 Leaf infection (%) 23.8 17.0 5.4 3.2 0.2 1.8 1.8 3.8 1.6 1.6 2.2 0.6 25.6 20.0 21.4 14.4 12.0 12.4 20.8 19.4 16.4 13.2 24.0 19.8 Booting stage Hill infection (%) 52.0 52.0 8.2 4.2 4.2 10.4 14.6 2.2 2.0 75.0 73.0 70.8 58.4 Leaf infection (%) 14.8 9.6 0.8 0.2 0.6 2.2 0 1.8 0 0.4 24.0 13.4 16.8 10.0

Score a Seedling 5 4 3 3 4 4 3 3 4 4 3 3 4 2 4 0 3 3 4 5 9 Leaf 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 1 3 0 2 5 Neck 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 5 9 IR24 b IR56 IR50 IR60 IR42 IR22 IR58 IR62 IR36 IR20 IR54 IR26 IR24 b IR56 IR50 IR60 IR42 IR22 IR58 IR62 IR36 IR20 IR54 IR26
a Mean

By the Standard evaluation system for rice 0-9 scale.

70.8 70.8 60.4 56.2 60.8 60.4

20.8 18.2 9.2 12.0 21.8 18.6

of 2 replications. b Susceptible check.

IRRN 13:2 (April 1988) 11

to measure resistance is based on a comparison of the amount of disease on IR24. The effect of Xa-4 on the individual race was estimated by the formula
RI = DL of IR24 - DL of IR cultivar 100

DL = disease level (% hill infection, % leaf infection, % lesion area) A zero RI means that resistance equals that of IR24.

A wide range of hill and leaf infection with the two races was observed (see table). Infection with the virulent race was higher than with the avirulent race at both maximum tillering and booting. Based on hill infection, the RI of varieties infected with the avirulent race increased as the plants matured (see figure). The RI of varieties infected with the virulent race also increased. The data seem to suggest that these varieties possess a distinct background

resistance that increased as the plant matured. Using hill and leaf infection as parameters, such background resistance may not be shown at early tillering. Because difference in disease level induced by PXO 61 and PXO 86 is related to the effect of Xa-4, the DL of a test variety not matched by PXO 86 is a measure of background resistance. Although the measurement is indirect, differences at different growth stages were clear. Perhaps this background resistance slows down epidemics in farmers fields in the Philippines, even though the race 2 population is increasing with an increase in hectarage planted to varieties with similar genetic backgrounds. Background resistance could be an attribute of the durability of resistance of IR cultivars carrying the Xa-4 gene.

For instructions on preparation of brief reports of rice research to submit for publication in IRRN, see the inside front cover of this issue.

Neck blast (BI) in newly released upland rice varieties in Brazil

E. P. Guimaraes, O. P. de Morais, and M. H. G. L. Chatel, National Research Center for Rice and Beans (EMBRAPA/CNPAF), Caixa Postal 179, 74000 Goiania, GO, Brazil

Relative resistance index, based on hill infection, of selected IR varieties to races 1 (PXO61) and 2 (PXO86) of Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae as compared to that of IR24, the susceptible variety, at 3 growth stages, IRRI, 1986 dry season, + = more resistant than IR24, - = more susceptible than IR24.

Upland rice varieties Rio Paranaiba (IAC47/63-83), Araguaia (IAC47/TOS2578/74-2-3-B2), and Cabau (mutant of IRAT79) were released to the Cerrado Region in Brazil. They were evaluated in consecutive years 1984-85, 1985-86, and 1986-87 in Goiania with local check IAC47. Neck Bl increased and grain yield decreased for all varieties tested (see table). The increase in all cultivars was independent of the degree of resistance. Disease and yield were significantly different between IAC47 and the improved varieties. The newly released upland varieties had higher neck Bl resistance, and yielded more.

12 IRRN 13:2 (April 1988)

Neck Bl incidence a and grain yield of newly released upland rice cultivars and local check IAC47. b Goiania, GO, Brazil, 1986-87. Growing seasonc IAC47 Neck B1 Grain yield (t/ha) 2.6 1.3 0.8 1.6 b Rio Paranaiba Neck B1 Grain yield (t/ha) 3.4 2.0 1.6 2.4 a Araguaia Neck B1 Grain yield (t/ha) 2.8 2.1 1.6 2.2 a Cabacu Neck B1 Grain yield (t/ha) 2.9 1.9 1.3 2.1 a Year mean Neck B1 Grain yield (t/ha) 2.9 a 1.8 b 1.3 c

1984-85 (6) 1985-86 (4) 1986-87 (4) Cultivar mean

aDisease

3.2 3.9 8.7 6.2 a

1.3 3.0 5.6 3.2 b

1.l 2.7 5.1 2.9 b

1.2 2.9 5.4 3.1 b

1.7 c 3.9 b 6.2 a

evaluation scale 1 to 9, Standard evaluation system for rice. b Means were compared using Tukey's test at 5% level of significance. abc show differences among year means; ABC show differences among cultivar means. c Figures in parentheses = number of trials.

Maintenance of virulence in Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae cultures

J. C. Durgapal, Division of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India

The loss of virulence in phytopathogenic bacterial cultures maintained on culture medium is a common phenomenon. In the absence of lyophilization facilities, cultures of Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae, the pathogen of bacterial blight, not only decline in virulence but occasionally even lose viability within a year of maintenance on a culture medium under refrigeration. We evaluated the suitability of sterile distilled water columns, top layered with liquid paraffin, for long-term maintenance of the bacterium. A distilled water column 2.5 cm high in round-bottomed, screw-capped test tube (about 7.5 cm high, 1.5 cm outer diameter) was provided with a 0.5-cmthick top layer of medical grade liquid paraffin and autoclaved at 15 lb pressure for 30 min. Bacterial growth from nutrient agar slant 48 h old was transferred aseptically to the column and stored at 10 C. In Oct 1980, cultures of three virulent gradeshighly, moderately, and weakly virulentwere preserved by this technique. An identical set was maintained under refrigeration on culture medium (modified Wakimotos medium: 5 g peptone, 20 g sucrose, 0.5 g Ca(NO 3)2 . 4 H2O, 0.5 g FeSO4. 7H2O, 2 g Na2 HPO4 2H2 O; 20 g agar, 1000 ml

distilled water, pH adjusted to 6.8), with subculturing at 6-mo intervals. The viability of the preserved cultures was tested. With a wire-loop, a minute amount of the bacterial mass available as sediment at the bottom of the water columns was transferred to medium slants and incubated at 27 C. An aqueous suspension of 48-h-old fresh culture at about 10 9 cells/ml served as inoculum. About 20 fully developed young leaves of TN1 rice plants at the maximum tillering stage were inoculated by leaf tip cutting. Virulence was determined by average lesion length measured 15 d after inoculation. The cultures were graded weakly (0.15.0 cm), moderately (5.1-12.0 cm), or highly (>12.0 cm) virulent. Cultures preserved in the water column and those maintained on culture medium were tested for viability and virulence at 1, 3, and 6 yr. Each culture in a water column was still viable in the last test in 1986, with no appreciable decline in initial virulence. In the cultures maintained on culture medium, the moderately and weakly virulent types survived to the last test, but 2 of the 3 highly virulent cultures lost viability within 1 yr. The pathogenicity test further revealed a gradual loss of virulence in highly and moderately virulent cultures. In the last test, three cultures (one highly virulent and two moderately virulent) became avirulent; the rest reacted as weakly virulent. Sterile distilled water columns top layered with liquid paraffin served as a

remarkably suitable and effective medium for long-term maintenance of X. c. pv. oryzae cultures. The preserved cultures not only remained viable, but retained their original pathological characteristics for several years. This inexpensive and easily manageable device could be a reliable base for maintaining the bacterium in its virulent form in laboratories lacking lyophilization facilities.

Leaf blast (BI) outbreak at Faizabad, India

P. Mukerjee, S. P. S. Rathi, and D. M. Maurya, Crop Research Station, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Masodha, P.O. Dabha Semar, Faizabad, India

Severe leaf Bl caused by Pyricularia oryzae had not been observed around Faizabad, specifically Masodha and Sohawal block, for 10 yr. During the 1986 wet season (Jun-Dec) at C. R. S. Masodha, it appeared only on N22 at the milk stage, and only on the upper and flag leaves; the neck was not affected. During the 1987 wet season, N22 and Bagri showed severe infection in early Aug at tillering; plants were completely killed by the second week of Aug. Under upland rainfed conditions in trials at C. R. S. Masodha, where disease pressure was highest, some newly developed lines showed high resistance to leaf Bl; indigenous varieties were

IRRN 13:2 (April 1988) 13

highly susceptible. Satha D, Akashi, Bagri, and N22 were most susceptible. Bagri Black, Bagri White, Bhadaila kala, Budhi, Gorakhpur local, Kudia,

Lalmati-A, Lurkan, Miriti, Kachni, Rani Kajal, Satha-F, and Sarya had moderate infection. In farmers' fields, severe leaf B1

was observed on popular indigenous varieties Lalmati, Mutmuri, N22, Mutmuriya, and Bagri.

Adverse temperature tolerance

Screening rice varieties for cold tolerance at seedling and reproductive stages
S. K. Sinha, S. Biswas, and S. K. B. Roy, Rice Research Station, Chinsurah 712102, India

Cold tolerance at the seedling stage as well as at the reproductive stage is essential for early dry season rice in West Bengal. We screened a number of newly developed lines and three hill varieties in 1984-85 to identify genotypes possessing both characters. Seeds were sown 21 Nov 1984. Leaf

yellowing and plant height were scored at 25, 45, and 55 d after sowing (DAS). Two new lines ES1-2-3 and ES1-1-1 showed low tolerance for cold at the seedling stage and flowered earlier than the check variety IR50. Both lines had similar seedling height and leaf number at 55 DAS; number of tillers/plant at harvest was lower than that of IR50 (see table). Two hill rice varieties introduced from Bhutan, MAAP and KAAP, showed high seedling tolerance for cold, and flowered earliest. But number of tillers/ plant was very low. Khonorullo, another hill rice, showed cold

susceptibility at all growth stages, with delayed heading. CB-1 (Chinsurah Boro-1) exhibited high seedling tolerance for cold but flowered late. Awned and red grains also restrict CB-1 use. Varieties that flowered around midMar in West Bengal usually experience temperatures of 22-25 C during panicle development and produce a higher percentage of filled spikelets/ panicle. Using the Bhutanese varieties that flower between 17-19 Mar in the hybridization program may provide plants that flower early, with cold tolerance at both seedling and reproductive stages, suitable for dry season (boro) rice in West Bengal.

Characters related to cold tolerance at different growth stages. a West Bengal, India, 1984-85. Genotype New lines IR9262-5-2-2-2 IR15579-135-3 IR7167-33-2-4-2-3 IR13155-60-3-1 IR5716-18-1 IR8866-30-3-1-4-2 ES1-2-3 ESl-1-1 IR50 Hill rice MAAP KAAP Khonorullo Local check CB-1
a By

Source

Leaf yellowing a 25 DAS 5 3 5 5 5 5 3 5 5 1 1 5 1 20 45 DAS 7 5 7 7 5 7 5 5 7 1 5 7 1 19 55 DAS 7 5 7 7 5 7 5 5 9 1 7 7 1 18

Seedling ht (cm) 25 DAS 6 7 6 6 7 6 5 5 6 10 8 6 12 45 DAS 8 9 8 9 8 8 9 9 8 12 12 9 15 55 DAS 10 12 9 12 10 10 10 10 9 15 16 11 20 25 DAS 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Leaf no. a 45 DAS 3 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 55 DAS 4 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5

Days Tillers to (no./plant) heading 10 9 9 10 9 9 6 7 10 3 4 7 13 125 125 131 127 127 131 117 118 129 115 113 131 139

IRRI IRRI IRRI IRRI IRRI IRRI India India IRRI Bhutan Bhutan Bhutan India

Average diurnal temp (C)

the Standard evaluation system for rice scale.

The International Rice Research Newsletter invites contributions of concise summaries of significant current rice research for publication. Contributions should be limited to no more than 2 pages typed double-spaced, accompanied by no more than 2 figures, tables, or photographs. Contributions are reviewed by appropriate IRRI scientists and those accepted are subject to editing and abridgment to meet space limitations. Authors are identified by name and research organization. See inside front cover for more information about submissions.

14 IRRN 13:2 (April 1988)

Adverse soils tolerance

Effect of acidity on germination and growth of rice seeds
A. K. Bandyopadhyay, Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Regional Research Station Canning, PO:Canning Town, Dist: 24-Pgs, West Bengal, India

3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, and 7.0 by adding hydrochloric acid. Ten seeds were kep t in each solution in petri dishes, with three replications. Water volume was maintained by adding solution. After 4 d, the germinated seeds were counted and seedling height and root length

measured (see table). No seeds germinated at pH 1.0 and 2.0. All seeds germinated at pH 3.0 and above except for CSR4 and IR28222-92-2-2-2. No variety produced root that could be measured at pH 3.0. BG35-2, BW100, B2149B-PN-26-1-1, and RD15 appear highly promising for coastal acid saline soils where germination is a problem.

Germination is an acute problem in coastal acid saline soils that remain highly acidic during the premonsoon dry period. We screened 118 IRRI germplasms in acid saline soils having pH 3.5. Nine varieties were selected. A laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate comparative tolerance of the selected varieties for graded acidity levels. Tap water (EC 1.0, pH 7.2) was used as the medium. Solution pH was adjusted to 1.0, 2.0,

Effect of acidity (pH 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) on growth of rice seeds. West Bengal, India. Variety BG35-2 BWl00 B2149B-PN-26-1-1 IR28222-9-2-2-2-2 IR44 ITA230 Mahsuri IR8067-41-1E-P1 RD15 CSR4 Seedling ht (cm) 3 3.5 4.5 3.4 1.2 3.0 1.2 1.2 2.7 3.3 0.5 4 6.3 6.3 6.7 7.3 5.5 6.0 5.5 6.3 6.2 6.0 5 6.0 6.7 7.7 1.7 5.6 5.3 5.2 7.0 6.3 6.3 6 6.0 6.0 7.0 6.2 5.2 4.5 4.7 6.5 6.7 5.5 7 5.7 5.4 5.4 6.3 4.3 4.5 5.2 6.0 5.3 5.8 3 4 5.5 5.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 5.5 5.0 2.5 4.5 9.0 Root length (cm) 5 5.5 7.0 4.0 3.5 5.0 8.0 6.5 2.5 4.5 9.0 6 3.5 8.0 4.5 5.0 3.5 6.0 3.0 2.0 2.0 11.0 7 3.2 8.5 3.0 5.5 4.0 7.0 3.0 2.0 2.0 6.3

T r a c e s

CROP AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Soils and soil characterization
Influence of soil texture on rice crop performance
M. A. Salam, Cropping Systems Research Centre, Karamana 695002, Trivandrum; and S. Subramanian, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, India
Influence of soil type on root production and grain yield. Tamil Nadu, 1983. Root dry weight (g/pot)
~

Tillering Sandy clay loam Clay loam LSD (0.05) CV (%) Difference % increase 3.43 3.98 0.14 7.3 0.6 16

Panicle initiation 6.44 7.39 0.17 5.3 1.0 15

Grain yield (g/pot) 15.7 21.1 0.4 2.4 5.4 34

We studied the performance of IR20 rice in two soils of different textures in pot culture under natural light during summer 1983 (Feb-Jun). The soils were clay loam (42.4% clay, 30.2% silt, 23.4% coarse sand, 4% fine sand, 99-8-254 ppm available NPK, 0.7 ppm DTPA extractable Zn, 1.0% organic C, pH 8.2, and EC 0.3 dS/m) and sandy clay (23.6% clay, 6.8% silt, 26.5% coarse sand, 37.2% fine sand, 100-4-140 ppm available NPK, 0.4 ppm DTPA extractable Zn, 0.42% organic C, pH 7.8, and EC 0.17 dS/m).

The crops received standard management practices and recommended nutrients. Root dry weight was recorded at tillering and panicle initiation. Grain yield was measured at 14% moisture. The differences in root production and grain yield are given in the table. Root production and grain yield were higher in fine textured clay loam than in coarse textured sandy clay loam. Grain yield and root dry weight had significant positive correlation. The better performance of rice in clay loam soil was due to enhanced root production.

The International IPM Newsletter is published for researchers in the development and transfer of integrated pest management (IPM) technology in rice production. Its content focuses on discussions of current issues; it does not publish research reports. For more information, write Dr. B. M. Shepard, IPM Newsletter, IRRI, P.O. Box 933, Manila, Philippines.

IRRN 13:2 (April 1988) 15

Soil microbiology and biological N fertilizer

Early, uniform stem nodulation in Sesbania rostrata after spray of Rhizobium culture
A. S. Bhagwat, D. C. Joshua, and C. R. Bhatia, Nuclear Agriculture Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Bombay 400085, India

Sesbania rostrata plants grown in pots filled with local Trombay soil did not produce any stem nodules. Plants raised in pots filled with a mixture of local soil and soil from Paddy Breeding Station,

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, or inoculated with homogenized stem nodules nodulated profusely. Those fully grown stem nodules were removed, cleaned in tap water, surfacesterilized with 0.1% HgCl2 for about 4 min, and washed in sterile distilled water. The nodules were crushed, inoculated in Luria broth (tryptone 1%, yeast extract 0.5%, and NaCl 0.5%), and incubated at 28 C. After 48 h, the culture was plated on Congo red yeast extract mannitol agar. Colorless mucoid, slow growing colonies were

isolated and tested. One culture (TCSR) was tested in the field. For field inoculation, culture grown in Luria broth (about 10 8 cells/ml) was sprayed on 35-d-old S. rostrata (25 plants with 4 replications). At this stage plants were 75-80 cm tall and had no stem nodules. Nodules developed on inoculated plants within 10 d. Stem nodules on 5 plants from each replication were counted 20 d after inoculation. The rhizobia1 culture induced early, repeatable nodulation. At 55 d after sowing, the mean number of stem nodules on inoculated plants was 180+16, compared to 22+4 in control plants. This culture is available on request.

Physiology and plant nutrition

Influence of nitrogen and zinc application on nutrient uptake by rice in different seasons
M. A. Salam, Kerala Agricultural University, Cropping Systems Research Centre, Karamana 695002; and S. Subramanian, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore 641003, India

We studied the uptake of major and micro nutrients by rice in three seasons: 1982 southwest monsoon Jun-Oct, 1982 northeast monsoon Oct-Jan, and 1983 summer Feb-Jun. The experiment was

laid out in a factorial combination of 4 levels of N (0, 60, 90, and 120 kg N/ha) and 2 levels of Zn (no ZnSO4 and 25 kg ZnSO4/ha) in a randomized block design with 6 replications, in a different field each season. The soil at TNAU (11 N, 77 E and 427 m above mean sea level) was a Vertisol (clay loam) containing 1.1% organic C, 196-9.5-200 ppm available NPK, 598 ppm total soil N, and 0.4 ppm DTPA extractable Zn. The test variety was IR20. Standard management practices were used. Nutrient uptake was estimated using standard procedures.

N benefited uptake of N, P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu in all seasons; in general, the effect persisted up to 90 kg N/ ha (see table). Zn also increased N, P, Zn, and Fe uptake in all seasons. This can be ascribed to the positive effect of Zn on root dry weight and root volume (data not given). N-Zn interactions were not consistent, N up to 90 kg/ ha and ZnSO4 at 25 kg/ ha increased grain yield in all seasons. Simple regressions and coefficients of determination revealed significant positive correlations in all seasons. A comparison between seasons showed that uptake of N, P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu was low during northeast monsoon season.

Nutrient and micronutrient uptake by season. a TNAU, Coimbatore, India, 1982-83. N and Zn levels N0 N60 N90 N120 LSD (0.05) Zn0 Zn1 LSD (0.05)
aSWM

N uptake (kg/ha) SWM 67 87 96 104 7 84 93 5 NEM 46 55 60 70 7 53 63 5 SUM 57 79 89 91 8 76 81 ns

P uptake (kg/ha) SWM 18 21 22 21 2 18 23 1 NEM 13 16 18 17 1 15 17 1 SUM 19 19 22 23 4 19 22 3

K uptake (kg/ha) SWM 74 96 101 162 25 101 115 ns NEM 74 95 136 142 20 106 117 ns SUM 132 117 143 164 22 131 146 ns

Zn uptake (g/ha) SWM 137 208 209 239 21 185 212 15 NEM 97 159 168 181 16 126 162 12 SUM 146 217 198 211 22 180 206 16

Fe uptake (kg/ha) SWM 1.18 1.68 1.62 2.00 0.17 1.45 1.77 0.12 NEM 0.53 0.97 1.10 0.97 0.12 0.84 0.95 0.08 SUM 1.24 1.74 1.96 1.94 0.22 1.62 1.82 0.16

= southwest monsoon, NEM = northeast monsoon, SUM = summer.

16 IRRN 13:2 (April 1988)

Crop management
Environmental limitations to rice cultivation in the Punjab
J. S. Sawhney and K. R. Sharma, Soils Department, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004, India

Five sites representing typical ricegrowing areas of the Punjab were selected to evaluate suitability for rice production. On the basis of soil-site

characteristics (see table), four suitability classes have been defined, from highly suitable to currently not suitable. Average rice yields under controlled conditions with fertilizer (50-12-12 kg NPK/ ha) based on soil test suggest that the yield data correlate well with soilsite suitability class. The yield potential of rice soils in the Punjab is controlled by rainfall during growing season, soil texture, drainage, infiltration, soil reaction, and soluble salts. It is possible to make yield predictions at different levels of the suitability class on the basis of soil-site

characteristics and their degree of limitation. The study predicts the following environmental limitations for sustained rice cultivation: Rainfallless than 300 mm during growing season Jul-Sep is limiting. Soil typefine loamy surface and subsurface texture with more than 16% clay. Drainageoptimum from moderately well to imperfectly drained. Soil reactionoptimum pH 7-8.3. Soluble saltssalinity and alkalinity are the primary obstacles.

Soil and site suitability characteristics and their limitations.a Ludhiana, India. Rainfall (mm) Jul-Sep (annual) 202 (315) 2 474 (680) 0 532 (7 13) 0 290 (425) 2 603 (88.6) 0 Water intake Drainage (mm) cumulative 6h 29 0 58 3 42 1 40 1 48 1 Imperfect 0 Well 3 ECe 10-3 dS/m 1.6 (1.7) 1 1.0 (0.7) 0 1 .0 (0.8) 0 2.4 (3.6) 3 0.4 (0.4) 0 Exchangeable sodium percentage 15.6 (9.3) 2 6.9 (6.6) 0 7.4 (8.2) 0 40 (43) 4 2.5 (1.1) 0 Organic Overall C limitation (%) 0.45 (0.22) 0 0.35 (0.17) 1 0.72 (0.26) 0 0.17 (0.12) 2 0.59 (0.29) 0 1-2 S1-2 4.1 7.4 3-4 S4 1.2 1.7 0-1 S1 4.6 7.8 2-3 S3 2.8 5.1 1-2 Land suitability class b S2 Yield (t/ha) Control Recommended fertilizer based c on soil-teste 6.1

Soil

pH

Silt

Clay

Rawalpindi clay loam (Aquic Ustochrepts) Degree of limitation Samana sandy loam (Udic Ustochrepts) Degree of limitation Bhoewal loam (Typic Haplustalfs) Degree of limitation Narike sandy loam (Natraquic Calciorthid) Degree of limitation Gurdaspur loam (Udic Haplustalfs) Degree of limitation
a

8.6 (8.4) 1 7.4 (7.6) 0

41.5 30.0 (33.0) (34.1) 0 0 18.8 12.7 (29.9) (15.7) 2 2 50.3 25.9 (48.8) (29.2) 0 0 20.6 18.2 (29.7) (22.8) 0 1 30.6 10.4 (40.7) (15.7) 0 0

3.7

Moder7.4 ately well (8.2) 1 0 Moder9.4 ately well (9.3) 1 4 Moder7.2 ately well (7.3) 1 0
b

Values in brackets indicate weighted mean of the column.

S1 = highly suitable, S4 = currently not suitable. cAverage of 5 yr.

Soil fertility and fertilizer management

Effect of farmyard manure (FYM) supplemented with N, P, K on grain yield
G. B. Chettri and R. B. Rai, Centre for Agicultural Research and Development (CARD), Wangdiphodrang, Bhutan; and A. R. Samiano, Training and Technology Transfer Department, IRRI

FYM is an important source of plant

nutrients for irrigated rice in Bhutan. In the Wangdiphodrang-Punakha valley, FYM is predominantly composed of animal manures mixed with rice straw in various stages of decomposition. An estimated average of 7 t FYM (fresh weight)/ha is applied before transplanting. The actual rate varies widely, from zero to 20 t/ha. As fertilizer-responsive rice varieties become more widespread, FYM

probably will continue to contribute significantly to crop nutrition and soil condition. We supplemented FYM with N, P, K to evaluate its effect on grain yield of IR36. IR36 seedlings raised in dry bed nurseries were transplanted in mid-Jun at 49 d after seeding with 20- 20-cm spacing in 4- 6-m bunded plots, in a completely randomized block design with 7 treatments and 3 replications. The soil was a loam with pH 6.6, 1.2% organic C, 9.3 meq CEC/100 g, 4.6 ppm available P (Olsens), 0.332 meq

IRRN 13:2 (April 1988) 17

K/100 g, and 1.2 ppm available Zn. The FYM contained 1.8% N and 0.45 pprn total P. FYM, all P and K, and 35 kg N/ ha were applied basally; the remaining N was topdressed at panicle initiation. Grain yield was computed at 14% moisture. No significant pest or disease damage or water stress occurred during crop development. All fertilizer treatments increased yield significantly (see table). Mean yield from plots given FYM alone was 20% higher than check plots. Supplementing FYM with extra N had no effect. FYM plus P significantly increased yield 18% over FYM alone. Yields with FYM supplemented with

N+P and from plots fertilized with N+P or N+P+K only did not differ significantly from yields with FYM+P. The results indicate that utilization of nitrogen in FYM may be seriously limited by inadequate soil P. In Wangdiphodrang-Punakha, soil analyses now show that available P levels are generally low (less than 10 ppm). Available K and other plant nutrients appear to be adequate. These preliminary results suggest that in a region where use of inorganic fertilizer is very low but use of FYM is routine, more benefit could be obtained from supplementing FYM with P.

Effect of FYM supplemented with N and P on yield of IR36. CARD, Wangdiphodrang, Bhutan, 1986. Fertilizer treatment a FYM (t/ha) 0 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 0 0
a b

N P (kg/ha) (kg/ha) 0 0 35 0 35 75 75 0 0 0 50 50 50 50 CV (%)

K (kg/ha) 0 0 0 0 0 0 40

Grain yield c (t/ha) 4.8 c 5.8 b 5.3 bc 6.9 a 7.0 a 6.6 a 6.9 a 4.5

N as urea, P as single superphosphate, K as muriate of potash. b Fresh weight. c Mean separation in a column by DMRT at the 5% level.

Phosphorus requirements in a rice - wheat cropping system

J. S. Kolar and H. S. Grewal, Agronomy Department, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004, Punjab, India

Influence of P on rice yield in a rice - wheat cropping system. Punjab, India, 1983-87. P (kg/ha) Rice 0 13 26 0 0 13 13 26 26 LSD (0.05) Wheat 0 0 0 13 26 13 26 13 26 1983 7.4 7.3 7.5 7.5 6.8 7.1 7.5 7 .0 7.5 ns 1984 5.7 6.8 6.9 6 .0 6.0 6.7 6.8 6.8 6.6 0.7 Grain yield (t/ha) 1985 6.2 7.2 7.2 6.5 6.5 7.4 7.2 7.1 7.1 0.4 1986 6.4 8.4 8.4 7.2 7.3 8.3 8.4 8.3 7.9 0.9 1987 5.6 8.4 8.6 6.8 7.6 8.5 8.6 8.5 7.4 0.7 Mean 1984-87 6.0 7.7 7.8 6.6 6.8 7.7 7.8 7.7 7.2 0.7

We studied P requirements of rice grown in sequence with wheat in the field 1983 to 1987. Different combinations of P level (0, 13, and 26 kg P/ ha) and P application (applying P to rice alone, wheat alone, or both rice and wheat) were laid out in a randomized block design with 4 replications. At the beginning of the experiment in 1983, the soil (sandy loam, Typic Ustochrept) had pH 8.1, 0.29% organic C, and 14.5 kg Olsen's P/ha. All plots received 120 kg N and 23 kg K/ha. All

P and K and 1/3 N were applied before transplanting. The remaining N was applied at 21 d and 42 d after transplanting. Rice responded significantly to direct application of up to 13 kg P/ ha (see

table). Rice grown on the residue of 25 kg P/ha applied to the preceding wheat showed no response. Increasing P to 26 kg/ha for both rice and wheat slightly depressed rice yield.

Effect of two phosphorus sources with or without azolla incorporation on rice yield in the Senegal River valley
H. F. Diara and I. Camara, West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA) Regional Research Station on Irrigated Rice, Saint-Louis, Senegal

Soil analysis. Fanaye P4 (Paleustollic Torrerts), Fanaye Station, Senegal. pH Soil:water KC1 (1:1) 1N 6.2
d a Bouyoucos a

Texture

Organic Clay Sand Silt matter b (%) (%) (%) (%) 46.5 29.9 23.6 0.35

Adsorbed P e at CEC c Available P Total 0.2 ppm P in d (meq/ BRAY II P the soil solution (ppm) (ppm) 100 g) (g P/g of soil) 31.26 1.50 240 330

4.4

Clay

method. b Walkley - Black method. c Cobaltihexamine method (Orsini et Remy 1976). Perchloric acid digestion. e Fox and Kamprath method (1970).

We compared a soluble-type P (triple superphosphate with 45% P 2 O5 ) and a natural type P (aluminum phosphate

with 34% P2 O5 ). We also evaluated the influence of azolla incorporation on assimilation of P by rice.

The trial for four consecutive cropping seasons was conducted on a fine clayey soil Paleustollic Torrerts (see

18 IRRN 13:2 (April 1988)

table). The design was a randomized complete block with three replications. Treatments were no N or P, no N plus either of the 2 sources of P at the rate of 52 kg P/ha, 120 kg N (urea) plus either of the 2 sources of P at 52 kg P/ha, and 60 kg N (urea) + 60 kg N (azolla)/ha and O or 52 kg P, applied either split or all at once. Two crops of Azolla pinnata var. imbricata, of Indian origin (20 t/ha each, equivalent to 30 kg N/ha) were grown successively and incorporated before rice transplanting. The rice variety was Sri Malaysia. After the third cropping season, rice yield showed no influence from P. After the fourth cropping season, during the 1985 rainy season, no significant difference in yield between the two P so urces had occurred (see figure). However, although N and P levels were equivalent with triple superphosphate, yields were higher when azolla was incorporated. Uptake of P from a split application and assimilated by azolla seems better. The response of rice was

Effects of 2 P sources, applied with and without azolla incorporation, on grain yield of rice variety Sri Malaysia. Fanaye Research Station, Senegal River valley, 1985 rainy season. Basal application of P, except in treatment 6, where P was split-applied.

more pronounced with aluminum phosphate; the split application produced 0.9 t/ha more. By the end of

the fourth cropping season, the lack of P had caused an important yield reduction (2.0 and 3.0 t/ha).

Disease management
Four fungicides for control of grain infection caused by Helminthosporium oryzae
A. S. Prabhu and A. B. Santos, National Research Center for Rice and Beans (EMBRAPA/CNPAF) - Caixa Postal 179, 74000 Goiania, Goias, Brazil

Grain discoloration caused by

Helminthosporium oryzae Breda de Haan, the causal agent of brown spot (BS), is a major problem in the 35,000 ha irrigated Rio Formoso rice project. A disease outbreak in Feb 1983, during the vegetative phase of the fourth successive planting of lowland rice variety IAC899 in CNPAF experimental fields indicated the possible role of infected plant debris. Despite 3 sprayings with maneb fungicide at 10-d intervals to control leaf infection, the disease retarded plant growth.

We evaluated four marketed spray fungicides for grain infection control in the same fields. The experiment used 8 m2 direct seeded plots in a randomized block design with 8 replications. Fungicides were sprayed at recommended doses 3 times at 7-d intervals, beginning at 50% heading (92 d after seeding). Untreated controls were not maintained because in similar experiments, sprayed plots adjacent to untreated plots exhibited abnormally high disease intensities.

Effect of fungicide spray on BS control.a Goiania, Goias, Brazil, 1983. Fungicide Ziram 50% EC Thiophanate-methyl (20%) + chlorothalonil 50% WP Maneb 80% WP Captafol 48% EC CV (%)
a

Rate (kg ai/ha) 1.5 1.4 1.6 0.96

Flag leaf lesions (no./leaf) 112 DAS 8.91 a 7.43 b 8.59 ab 9.14 a 12.0 119 DAS 27.47 a 22.19 b 23.26 ab 25.91 ab 13.5

Diseased grains/panicle (%) 108 DAS 27.76 a 26.56 ab 25.71 ab 23.30 11.8 b 115 DAS 44.58 ab 45.64 a 39.52 b 39.34 b 10.2

Unfilled grains/ panicleb (%) 41.75 a 41.16 a 38.70 a 34.83 a 17.2

Grain yield (t/ha) 2.05 a 2.03 a 2.22 a 2.41 a 15.2

Means of 8 replications. In a column, means followed by a common letter are not significantly different by Tukey test at the 5% level. DAS = days after seeding. bUnfilled grain percentage was based on 10 panicles/plot.

IRRN 13:2 (April 1988) 19

Disease intensity on flag leaves and panicles, unfilled grain percentage, and grain yield were measured. Flag leaf lesion counts and percentage of diseased grains/panicle were based on 50 randomly collected tillers/ plot.

Treatments differed significantly, but did not reduce flag leaf and grain infection much (see table). Grain infection was negatively correlated with percentage of unfilled grain (r = -0.84**) and grain yield ( r = -0.84**),

but differences among the test fungicides were not significant. Blotter test determined that 75% of seeds collected from sprayed fields were associated with H. oryzae. That seed lot showed only 39% germination.

Distribution and severity of rice seedling diseases in boro seedbeds in Bangladesh

A. H. Mondal, M. M. Rahman, and S. A. Miah, Plant Pathology Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Distribution of seedling diseases as observed in boro seedbeds during January 1987 in northwestern districts of Bangladesh. District Bogra Dinajpur Gaibandha Gazipur Jamalpur Lalmonirhat Mymensingh Natore Pabna Rajshahi Rangpur Tangail Total DI
a

Disease frequency in survey area a Bak 6 (18.2) 0 2 (25.0) 0 1 (12.5) 1 (33.3) 2 (11.8) 1 (11.1) 0 0 2 (14.3) 0 15 (11.0) 4 [3-5] Bl 0 0 0 2 (12.5) 0 0 3 (17.6) 0 0 0 1 (7.1) 3 (16.7) 9 (6.6) 8 [7-9] BS 6 (18.2) 0 2 (25.0) 1 (25.0) 1 (12.5) 0 3 (17.6) 3 (33.3) 3 (37.5) 2 (33.3) 1 (7.1) 2 (11.1) 24 (17.6) 5 [3-7] DO 12 (36.4) 2 (50.0) 2 (25.0) 2 (25.0) 3 (37.5) 1 (33.3) 6 (35.3) 3 (33.3) 4 (50.0) 2 (33.3) 5 (35.7) 6 (33.3) 48 (35.3) 6 [ 3-9] RK 9 (27.2) 2 (50.0) 2 (25.0) 2 (25.0) 3 (37.5) 1 (33.3) 3 (17.6) 2 (22.2) 1 (12.5) 1 (16.7) 5 (35.7) 7 (38.9) 38 (27.9) 5 [3-7] 0 0 0 1 (12.5) 0 0 0 0 0 1 (16.7) 0 0 2 (1.5) 3 [ 1-5] Sb Total 33 4 8 8 8 3 17 9 8 6 14 l8 136

We surveyed rice seedbed diseases in some northwestern districts during the Nov-Mar boro season. Six diseases bakanae (Bak), blast (Bl), brown spot (BS), damping-off (DO), root knot (RK), and seedling blight (Sb)were found in 48 locations. Commonly grown rice were BR1, BR3, BR8, BR9, IR8, Pajam, Purbachi, and some local varieties. DO was found everywhere, irrespective of variety (see table). RK was the second most common disease; it was not found in alkaline belts of Rajshahi district. Its intensity and severity were highest in sandy soil, especially near riverbanks, even in seedbeds with little standing water, irrespective of varieties sown. BS was found in seedbeds that suffered from water stress. Bak affected seedlings of Purbachi, Khaily boro (local cultivar), and BR16. Bl was found mainly on Pajam and Iratom seedlings.

Figures in parentheses show percentage of the disease in the district; those within brackets show disease index. DI 1 = lowest disease intensity, 9 = highest disease intensity.

Severity as high as disease index 8 was concentrated in Mymensingh, Tangail, Gazipur, and Rangpur districts. Sb was

found in only two locations. More than one disease was observed in the same seedbed in some locations.

Managing rice sheath rot (ShR) disease in Kerala, India

B. K. Nair, Agriculture Department, Kerala; B. Balakrishnan, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kumarakom, Kottayam, Kerala; and M. C. Nair, Plant Pathology Department, College of Agriculture, Vella-vani, Kerala, India

Field trials to evaluate crop nutrition schedules for managing rice ShR disease

have shown that sources of N and method of application can influence disease incidence and grain damage. A field experiment during the first crop season (May-Sep 1985) at the Cropping Systems Research Centre, Karamana, used susceptible variety Jyothi to evaluate crop nutrition schedules for managing ShR. The fertilizer level used was 70-3552.5 kg NPK/ ha, the recommended rate in disease endemic areas. Sources were

farmyard manure (FYM), urea, and ammonium sulfate for N; superphosphate for P; and muriate of potash for K. Except for FYM, all forms of N were applied in three splits, half as basal and half in two equal topdressings. K was applied in two equal splits, basal and as topdressing. All P was applied as basal. Carboxin (0.1% spray), widely recommended for ShR control, was sprayed with two fertilizer treatments

20 IRRN 13:2 (April 1988)

Effect of fertilizer and organic manure on ShR intensity and rice grain yield. Kerala, India, 1985. Disease intensity a Treatment Without fungicide (F0) 4.9 With fungicide (F1) 3.5 Grain yield (t/ha) Without fungicide (F0) 3.0 With fungicide (F1) 2.8

Organic manure (OM) alone @ 5 t/ha in soil at planting OM + N1 (urea) and K soil application OM + N2 (ammonium sulfate) and K soil application OM + N1 and K, last split of both N and K as foliar sprays OM + N2 and K, last split of both N and K as foliar sprays OM + N1 + K + Zn and Mn foliar sprays OM + N2 + K + Zn and Mn foliar sprays LSD for treatment (T) LSD for T fungicide

6.7 7.5 5.9 4.1 8.2 9.2 2.1 3.0

5.0 4.5 5.9 8.1 6.1 6.7

4.6 4.4 4.6 4.4 4.6 4.4 197.1

4.6 4.5 5.0 4.6 4.7 4.5

45 and 60 d after transplanting. Five random 1-m2 samples were observed in each 24-m 2 plot. Each hill was scored on type and spread of lesions and on panicle damage. Average score for each plot was taken as disease intensity. Urea was the best N source for yield; foliar application of N and K along with the fungicidal spray reduced panicle damage (see table). We concluded that treatment improved the general health of the crop, especially in soils where the rate of absorption becomes poor with crop age. That, in turn, could reduce the rate of grain damage.
Individuals, organizations, and media are invited to quote or reprint articles or excerpts from articles in the IRRN.

aBy the Standard evaluation system for rice 1 to 9 scale.

Greenhouse trials of seed dress method for controlling sheath blight (ShB)
I. F. Telan and D. B. Lapis, Plant Pathology Department, University of the Philippines at Los Baos (UPLB), College, Laguna

Germination, infection, and height and root length of UPLRi5 seedlings treated with fungicides, using the seed dress method, 21 d after sowing. UPLB, Philippines. Fungicide Benomyl PCNB Iprodione EMDOCd Benomyl-EMDOC Benomyl-iprodione EMDOC-iprodione DHMUe - iprodione Triphenyltin acetate-iprodione Triphenyltin acetate-EMDOC Triphenyltin acetate-triphenyltin hydroxide Untreated seeds, inoculated soil Untreated seeds, uninoculated soil
aMean

Rate (g/kg seeds) 40 4 40 40 40-40 40-40 40-40 40-40 40-40 40-40 40-40

Germination a (%) 92.0 95.6 91.3 94.0 91.0 90.3 89.3 81.6 92.0 a a a a a a a b a

Infectionb (%) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.4 0.3 a a a a a a a a a

Heightc (cm) 21.8 22.4 20.6 21.4 21.1 20.9 19.1 22.5 19.6 21.1 18.3 21.2 20.6

Root lengthc (cm) 5.4 6.2 6.7 5.6 6.4 7.7 7.9 7.4 4.8 5.5 2.9 2.6 3.4

Rice grain-hull (1:4) culture of Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn was incubated for 3-4 wk for use as inoculum. Baked soil was handmixed with the rice grainhull culture at 3:2, then incubated for 1 wk. The mixture was transferred to plastic basins 18 cm in diameter. Seed dressing used the slurry method of fungicidal application at 40 g/ kg seeds, except 4 g PCNB/ kg seeds with water added at 2-3% seed weight. Two days after transfer of incubated soil into the plastic basins, 100 treated seeds were planted. Percentages of germination and seedling infection were recorded 3 wk after planting. Controls were untreated seeds planted on uninfested soil and untreated seeds planted on infested soil. A completely randomized block design was used. All fungicides tested were effective against R. solani, as shown by high

81.3 b 81.6 b 36.6 87.3 a c

0.3 a 1.2 a 3.5 b 0.0 a

of 100 seedlings in 3 replications. b Mean of 3 replications based on % germination. cMean of 15 seedlings used. Means in a column followed by the same letters are not significantly different at 1% level. dEthyl 3-(3-5-dichloro-phenyl)-5-methyl-2-4-deoxo-5-oxozoldine carboxylate (Serinal 50% WP). e1-5-1 (5-0-carbamoyl-2 amino 2 deoxy-L xylony1)-5deoxy-B-D (all furanonyluronic acid)hydroxy-methyl uracil (Polyoxine AWP).

germination percentage and low infestation percentage (see table). Germination was highest with PCNB, lowest in untreated seeds in inoculated soil. No infection was observed with

benomyl, PCNB, iprodione, and benomyl-iprodione combined. Untreated seeds in inoculated soil showed significantly higher infection than all other treatments.

IRRN 13:2 (April 1988) 21

Rice ragged Stunt virus (RSV) in aquatic weed Monochoria vaginalis

A. Parejarearn, D. Chettanachit, W. Balaveang, and S. Disthaporn, Rice Pathology Branch, Agriculture Department, Bangkhen, Bangkok, Thailand

Detection of RSV in artificially inoculated M. vaginalis. Thailand, 1987. Plant type Narrow leaf Broad leaf Samples (no.) Inoculated 20 22 Infected 1 5 Average absorbance at 405 nm Infected 0.29 0.20 Control 0.09 0.08

Monochoria vaginalis, an aquatic annual weed of the family Pontederiaceae, is found scattered among transplanted rice areas. We collected young seedlings of two M. vaginalis plant types, narrow leaf and broad leaf, and transplanted them in pots. Three days after transplanting, 25 RSV-viruliferous brown planthoppers were confined in a cage with each plant until all planthoppers died.

One month later, extracts of the second youngest leaves of inoculated plants were tested separately by ELISA for the presence of RSV antigen. Uninoculated seedlings served as the control. Reactions in ELISA were evaluated visually or determined on absorbance using Titertek multiscan MCC. Absorbance value at 405 nm greater than one and a half times the mean absorbance of control was considered a positive reaction.

Some inoculated seedlings of both narrow and broad leaf types gave positive reactions in ELISA, no control seedlings gave a high reading (see table). None of the RSV-infected plants expressed symptoms. Planthoppers given a 48-h acquisition access feeding on RSV-infected M. vaginalis did not transmit the virus to rice seedlings. M. vaginalis can be a host of RSV but may not act as reservoir of the virus.

Insect management
Influence of time of day and sweeping pattern on catches of green leafhoppers (GLH)
D. B. Estano and B. M. Shepard, IRRI

We used a sweep net to determine the influence of sweeping pattern and time of day on numbers of GLU collected on IR1917, in Aug-Oct 1986. The design

was split plot with six replications. Sweeping with 30-cm diameter nets was done 0730-0800 h, 1400-1430 h, and 1800-1830 h. The sweeping patterns were through the middle of each plot, following an X-pattern in each plot, and along the borders of each plot. Each plot was swept twice a week from 13 to 93 d after transplanting (22 sampling dates). Ten uniform sweeps were conducted in each 5.8-m 7.6-m (44 m 2) plot at 1 sweep/pace. Border sweeping was made by walking along the plot bunds.

Regardless of sweeping pattern, population estimates from morning and evening samples were signficantly higher than estimates from afternoon samples (see figure). The numbers of GLH in different sweeping patterns did not differ significantly.

Effect of flooding on black bug Scotinophara coarctata (F.) egg parasitization

B. M. Shepard, M. Parducho, and G. S. Arida, Entomology Department, IRRI

GLH population per 10 sweeps by time of sampling and sampling pattern.

We studied the effect of flooding rice plants bearing black bug egg masses on parasitization of the eggs by Telenomus triptus. After oviposition, the female bug positions herself on top of the egg mass and uses her legs and antennae to prevent parasites from successfully parasitizing all the eggs in the mass. An earlier study showed that egg masses are deposited on the average about 6 cm above the soil. Our objective was to force the female bug off the egg mass by flooding, then lower the water level to expose the egg masses to parasites. Twenty 80-d-old plants in 30- 38-cm pots in the greenhouse were

22 IRRN 13:2 (April 1988)

covered with 11- 55-cm nylon mesh cages. Twenty female black bugs/cage were allowed to oviposit for 24 h. Ten pots were flooded 10.5 cm deep for 24 h. Ten pots were watered to 4.0 cm. After the water level was reduced to expose the egg masses, 5 female egg parasites T. triptus were introduced into each cage and allowed to search and oviposit for 3 d. Black bug egg masses deposited on plants totaled 147 in flooded pots and 110 in unflooded pots. The egg masses were held in individual tubes until nymphs hatched or parasites emerged. As a whole, flooding increased egg parasitization: 17% in unflooded pots and 54% in flooded pots (see figure). The difference was attributed to disturbance of the female during flooding, exposing the egg masses to T. triptus. However, parasite emergence was significantly lower from egg masses on flooded plants (18%) than from egg masses on unflooded plants (42%).

Effect of flooding on parasitization of black bug eggs by Telenomus triptus. Values are significantly different at the 5% level according to student t-test.

Host range and overwintering of rice pink stem borer (PSB) in a hilly region of India
D. K. Garg, Vivekananda Laboratory for Hill Agriculture, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Almora 263601, U.P., India

Crops infested by PSB in U.P. hills, India. Common name Sorghum Maize Ragi (finger millet) Barnyard millet Foxtail millet Proso millet Kodo millet Rice Spring, rainfed direct seeded June planted, rainfed upland Irrigated transplanted Wheat Barley Oat Botanical name Sorghum bicolor Zea mays Eleusine coracana Echinochloa frumentacea Setaria italica Panicum miliaceum Paspalum scrobiculatum Oryza sativa Severity of infestation Moderate Low-moderate Low-moderate Moderate-high Low Low Low Moderate Moderate High Low Low Low

PSB Sesamia inferens Walk. occurs regularly in the hilly region of Uttar Pradesh. The pest is active May-Oct. The polyphagous species may attack a number of other graminaceous plants. To identify its host range, we studied infestations at experimental farms, Hawalbagh (1,250 m above sea level), and adjacent areas. This region has two distinct crop seasons. In the winter (Nov-May), wheat and barley and some pulses are grown. In the summer (Jun-Oct), crops are primarily rice, maize, and some pulses and millet. Rice is also planted in winter fallow fields in the spring (Mar-Apr). A number of crops were found to be infested by PSB. The maximum susceptibility was exhibited by

Triticum aestivum Hordeum vulgare Avena sativa

transplanted irrigated rice (see table). Barnyard millet was another preferred host. Infestation also was found in winter crops such as wheat and barley at later growth stages, primarily from the end of Apr to May. Studies on overwintering showed that larvae remained dormant in winter, hibernating in rice stubbles from the end of Oct to Mar. Hibernating larvae were slightly larger than their normal mature

size. Only older larvae overwintered; the younger larvae died. Overwintering larvae changed into the pupal stage between the end of Mar and the beginning of Apr, with the onset of warmer weather. Moths usually emerged from mid-Apr on. It seems that the moths of this generation lay eggs on spring rice, wheat, or barley; thus, the larvae of this generation damage these crops. As the

IRRN 13:2 (April 1988) 23

winters are extremely cold in the hills (temperature often below 0 C), only a few of the overwintering larvae survive. High infestations are caused mainly by the second generation larvae resulting from the mass egg laying during Jul-Aug.

Effect of different insecticides on incidence of rice SB. a Punjab, India. Insecticide Cartap hydrochloride 4 G Chlorpyrifos 10 G Carbofuran 3 G Chlorpyrifos 40 EC Deltamethrin + buprofezin 5.9 EC Phosalone 35 EC Control
a In

Dosage (kg ai/ha) 1.5 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.09 0.5

Incidence (% whiteheads) 3.8 a 26.4 bcd 25.4 bc 20.2 b 33.3 d 26.1 32.3 bcd cd

Yield (t/ha) 5.3 a 3.2 d 4.2 b 4.2 b 3.1 d 3.8 2.4 c e

Chemical control of rice stem borers (SB) in the Punjab

H. S. Sukhija, P. Singh, and J. Singh, Regional Rice Research Station, Kapurthala 144601, Punjab, India

a column, values designated by different letters are statistically different (Duncans multiple range test).

Three SB species Scirpophaga incertulas, S. innotata, and Sesamia inferensdamage rice in the Punjab. S. incertulas is predominant. Damage has been recorded in rice nurseries in certain pockets of Amritsar, Ferozpur, and Faridkot districts. SB incidence has increased during the last 2 yr. Staggered sowing over a longer period, an increase in the area under irrigation, growing unapproved susceptible varieties, and other agronomic manipulations appear to be

factors in the increase. Control of SB is with insecticides. We evaluated two new granular compounds, chlorpyrifos 10 G and cartap hydrochloride 4 G, with carbofuran 3 G as the standard. Chlorpyrifos 40 EC, deltamethrin + buprofezin 5.9 EC, and phosalone 35 EC as foliar spray also were evaluated. Recommended variety PR103 was grown in 17-m2 plots in a randomized block design with 4 replications. Single applications of chemicals were given the first week of Sep 1986, when the crop was nearly 40 d old and when deadhearts reached 5%.

Among the granular insecticides, cartap hydrochloride was most effective (see table). Average whitehead incidence was only 3.8%, compared to 25.4% with carbofuran and 26.4% with chlorpyrifos 10 G. Foliar application of chlorpyrifos 40 EC showed 20.2% incidence, significantly lower than deltamethrin + buprofezin but statistically equal to phosalone. The significantly highest yield was with cartap hydrochloride. Cartap hydrochloride 4 G granular insecticide at 1.5 kg ai/ha controlled rice SB and promoted yield.

Monitoring susceptibility of rice pests to insecticides

L. T. Fabellar, IRRI; W. Telvapuchom, Department of Agriculture, Bangkok, Thailand; D. Kilin, BPTP, Bogor, Indonesia; S. Endo, Kyushu National Agricultural Experiment Station, Tikugo, 833 Japan; S. Sivasubramaniam, Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), Peradeniya, Sri Lanka; D. K. Nagia, Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture, Faridabad, Haryana, India; Wei Cen and Liang Tian-Xi, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China; P. Kenmore, FAO Manila, Philippines; R. P. Basilio and O. Mochida, IRRI

Following FAO/IRRI workshops Judicious and Efficient Use of Insecticides on Rice (1983) and Monitoring Susceptibility Levels of Rice Pests to Insecticides (1984)12

Asian rice-growing countries formed a network to establish baseline insecticide susceptibility of major rice pests. Susceptibility to insecticides was determined by topical application with the Kiya hand-operated microapplicator and a calibrated microsyringe. A specified volume of insecticides for each test insect was applied on the thoracic tergites (Table 1). Treated insects were transferred through a funnel to minimize mechanical damage to plastic tumbler cages containing 8-10 2-wk-old TN1 seedlings. Larvae were transferred to petri dishes lined with moistened filter paper and provided with cut leaves or diet for stem borer. The tests usually had 3 replications, with at least 15 insects/ replication. Cages and petri dishes were kept in an incubator or controlled room at 25-30 C, 60-80% relative humidity, and 12-h light. Larval

mortality was recorded 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment. LD50/LD95 values of the insecticides were computed using probit analysis. Five countries have established susceptibility baseline data for N. lugens (Table 2). Indonesia had relatively higher LD 50 values with three insecticides, indicating that N. lugens in Indonesia may be less susceptible to insecticides. However, N. lugens from two collection sites did not show much

Table 1. Rice insect pests and volume of insecticides applied. Insect pest Chilo suppressalis Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Nephotettix virescens Nilaparvata lugens Sogatella furcifera Volume applied (l) 1.0 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.1

24 IRRN 13:2 (April 1988)

Table 2. Susceptibility levels of rice pests to insecticides in some rice-growing countries in Asia. Insect species Nilaparvata lugens Country India Sri Lanka Thailand Indonesia Nephotettix virescens N. cincticeps Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Chilo suppressalis .. Japan India Japan Sri Lanka China Location Lab culture, Hyderabad Lab culture, CAR1 Pathumthani Phitsanulok Sleman, Yogyakarta Boyolali, Central Java Tikugo, Hukuoka-ken Cuttack Tikugo, Hukuoka-ken Alawwa Changping, Beijing LD50 values (g/individual) Carbaryl 0.007 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.006 0.01 0.3 Carbofuran 0.002 0.0007 0.0004 0.0008 0.001 0.002 0.07 Diazinon 0.08 0.09 0.07 0.01 0.6 Malathion 0.07 0.09 0.2 0.2 0.2 15.2 0.3 Monocrotophos 0.008 0.004 0.003 0.003 0.3

difference in susceptibility level. LD 50 values from two collection sites in Thailand were comparable, indicating

the same susceptibility levels. India and Japan gave susceptibility data for N. virescens and N. cincticeps.

The data for C. medinalis came from Sri Lanka, and those for C. suppressalis from China.

Water management
Influence of planting method and irrigation practices on rice water requirement
D. Chandra, K. C. Das, and N. L. Meena, Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack 753006, India

Table 1. Effect of moisture regime on yield of IR36 under direct seeded and transplanted conditions. Cuttack, India, 1986 dry season. Moisture regime Continuous shallow submergence (5 2 cm) (I1 ) Intermittent irrigation at 5-d intervals (I2 ) Moderate stress (I3 ) Mean LSD LSD LSD LSD to to to to Grain yield (t/ha) Direct seeded 5.1 3.3 3.0 3.7 Transplanted 6.2 5.2 4.1 5.2 6.0 3.4 5.8 7.3 32.8 22.5 Mean 5.6 4.2 3.6

We studied the irrigation requirement of direct seeded and transplanted rice during 1986 dry season. Two methods of crop establishment were main plot treatments and 3 irrigation schedules (continuous shallow submergence with 5 2 cm water, intermittent irrigation at 5-d intervals with 5 cm water except during flowering, and moderate stress) were subplot treatments. The test variety was IR36. Soil texture varied from sandy loam to sandy clay loam and alluvium type Mahanadi River soil with pH 5.5. The water table was 40-60 cm deep during the crop duration. Differences in grain yield due to irrigation schedules and method of planting and their interactions were significant (Table 1). The transplanted crop gave about 36% higher yield than the direct seeded crop. Continuous shallow submergence gave significantly

compare irrigation schedules (I) compare method of planting (MP) compare MP at the same level of (I) compare I at the same level of MP

CV (%) MP Irrigation schedule and interaction

between the two lower water regimes under transplanted conditions.

higher yield than the two other water treatments. Reduced water application progressively reduced yield, with moderate stress giving the lowest yield. Yield reduction due to less irrigation water in the intermittent flooding treatment was pronounced under direct seeded conditions. There was not much scope for further yield reduction under moderate stress. On the other hand, yield differences were significant Irrigation requirements are presented in Table 2. The irrigation water required to maintain continuous shallow

Table 2. Water used by different irrigation treatments. Cuttack, India, 1986 dry season. Water requirement (mm) Direct seeded crop 2250 1100 800 Transplanted crop 2000 950 750

Water regime

Continuous submergence Intermittent irrigation Moderate stress

submergence was more than two times that required for intermittent irrigation.

IRRN 13:2 (April 1988) 25

Farm machinery
Manual rice transplanter use in Burma
U Khin Win, visiting scientist, Research and Training Office, IRRI

Yearly manufacture and uses of manually operated mechanical transplanter in Burma. Year 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985
a

Manufacturera AMD AMD AMD HIC HIC H IC

Number produced 300 1000 1000 1000 5 00 100

Number in fields

Transplanted area (ha)

750 1000 697 1400

4608 4219 1624 8097

HIC = Heavy Industries Corporation.

More than 3.5 million ha of the 4.8 million ha rice in Burma is transplanted. Transplanting traditionally is womens responsibility. The Agricultural Mechanization Department (AMD) and Agricultural Corporation (AC) reproduced 30 IRRI developed manually operated mechanical transplanters for field testing in 1979. AMD made 10 modifications: replaced the operating handle with a better grip, changed to a free-hanging counter weight cam for better retraction of pickers, replaced the rachet with an over-running clutch and the chain roller with a star wheel for better movement, changed the buckle for planting depth to a hook with screw and nut for easier fabrication, added a reinforcing bar and a coil spring between frame members for durability, inserted an inverted U-shaped holder in the pickers to improve hold, added an adjusting screw at the stop block to adjust picking angle, added a seedling guard plate to prevent the seed mat from deforming, put in a reinforcement bracket for each pivot pin for durability, and eliminated the flat carriage bar for better movement of the tray. Bamboo is used instead of wood in seedbed preparation to reduce costs. The modified transplanter reduces transplanting costs 40%. Hand transplanting costs US$26.79, the manual transplanter US$17.66. (These estimates depend on the wage rate of an area, the cost of the transplanter, and its transplanting capacity. Soil type, level of land preparation, water depth, and operator skill also alter estimates.) The government introduced the manual rice transplanter with dynamic demonstrations, but farmer adoption has been low (see table). Five problems merit consideration: 1. The rice area has not increased

substantially in recent years, but population has increased at an annual rate of 2.2%, resulting in excess labor and low wage rates. 2. A well-organized program to train farmers to operate the transplanter is important. 3. Existing institutions and infrastructure need to be improved to provide repair and replacement facilities within easy reach of

farmers. 4. Target areas for adoption should have the right soil type, proper drainage capabilities, sufficient institutional and infrastructure support, and enough motivated farmers. 5. A well-organized research and development program is needed to solve specific problems in specific areas.

Farming systems
Pigeonpea genotypes and rice yield in an intercropping system
D. Parida, U. N. Dikshit, D. Satpathy, and P. K. Mahapatra, Dryland Agriculture Research Project, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar 751003, India

We tested different pigeonpea genotypes in an intercropping system with rice

during the 1986-87 wet season. Soil was laterite and sandy loam with pH 5.2, 0.37% total N, 16 kg available P/ ha, and 160 kg available K/ ha. Nine pigeonpea genotypes were grown in paired rows of 30/90 cm alone and intercropped with Subhadra rice (90 d duration). Five rows of rice were planted in the interspace of pigeonpea. The intercrops received 30-18-25 kg NPK/ ha, rice alone 60-18-25 kg NPK/ ha, and pigeonpea alone 20-18-17 kg NPK/ ha. Pigeonpea genotypes differed in their effect on rice yield (see table). The

Yields of pigeonpea genotypes intercropped with rice. Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India, 1986-87 wet season. Genotype Pigeonpea ICPL 138 ICPL 227 ICPL 265 ICPL 270 ICPL 295 ICPL 186 DAS83-1 DAS83-2 R60 Rice alone Subhadra LSD (0.05) Intercropped rice yield (t/ha) 1.7 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.1 2.2 0.3 Pigeonpea yield (t/ha) Alone 0.6 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.9 1.2 0.1 Intercropped 0.2 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.9 0.1 Land equivalent ratio 1.16 1.37 1.40 1.09 1.56 0.81 0.88 1.03 1.24 0.21

26 IRRN 13:2 (April 1988)

highest rice yield (1.7 t/ha) was with ICPL 138; the lowest with ICPL 186 (1.0 t/ha). Rice yields from the intercrop were 22-57% less than yields of rice alone. Pigeonpea yields in the intercropped plots were 2-62% less than in the monocrop. The. most compatible rice pigeonpea combination featured ICPL 295 (56% yield advantage).

Table 1. Efficiency of cropping system under limited irrigation and fertilizer supply. a Bhubaneswar, India, 1979-81. Cropping system Rice - wheat Rice - mungbean Rice - peanut
a

Yield (t/ha) 1979 3.1 (1.1) 3.1 (0.4) 3.1 (2.2) 1980 1.1 (1.0) 1.2 (0.5) 1.2 (1.8) 1981 1.9 (0.8) 2.0 (0.5) 2.3 (2.3) Mean 2.0 (1.0) 2.1 (0.5) 2.2 (2.1)

Proteinb (t/ha) 0.2 0.2 0.5

Carbohydrate (t/ha) 1.7 1.4 1.6

Energy (MJ 10 3 /ha) 33.4 27.1 57.4

Rice-based cropping systems for optimum production under resource constraints

S. K. Uttaray, P. K. Mahapatra, G. K. Patro, and R. N. Patnaik, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar 3, Orissa, India

Figures in parentheses indicate the dry season crop yield. b Protein, carbohydrate, and energy calculated for edible portions only as per standards fixed by the National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR), Hyderabad, India.

Table 2. Effect of irrigation and fertility level (F1, 2, 3) on grain yield of wheat, mungbean, and peanut grown after rice. a Bhubaneswar, India, 1979-81. Number of irrigation Grain yield (t/ha) F1 1.03 1.32 1.31 1.22 0.36 0.66 0.55 0.52 1.95 2.64 2.60 2.40 Wheat 0.10 0.04 0.09 0.12 10 7 F2 0.80 1.09 1.06 0.98 0.43 0.46 0.46 0.45 1.75 2.33 2.51 2.20 Mungbean 0.04 0.03 0.05 0.06 10 9 Wheat F3 0.64 0.63 0.84 0.70 0.41 0.42 0.35 0.39 1.40 1.78 2.12 1.17 Mean 0.82 1.01 1.07 0.97 0.40 0.51 0.45 0.45 1.70 2.25 2.41 2.12 Peanut 0.05 0.04 0.08 0.08 3 3

During 1979-81, rice variety Jajati (135 d duration) was grown during the wet season with 80-18-33 kg NPK/ha. Wheat variety Sonalika (95 d duration), mungbean variety Sujata (70 d), and peanut variety AK12-24 (120 d) were grown after rice in the dry season at 3 moisture regimes (1, 3, and 5 irrigations to wheat; 1, 2, and 3 irrigations to mungbean; 1, 3, and 4 irrigations to peanut). Three fertility levels (level 1 = 120-26-50 kg NPK/ha for wheat; 20-18-33 kg NPK/ha for mungbean and peanut; level 2 = 2/3 of level 1; level 3 = 1 / 3 of level 1) were tested in a split-plot design with three replications. Rice was transplanted at 15- 10-cm spacing; wheat and mungbean were sown at 20 5 cm; peanut was sown at 30 10 cm. The soil was an acidic Latosol, sandy loam texture, with pH 5.9, EC 0.233 dS/m, 0.457% organic C, 0.04% total N, 66.6 kg available P/ha, and 300 kg available K/ ha. Rice yield was low in 1980 because of gall midge attack. Mean total yield was highest from rice - peanut (4.3 t/ha) followed by rice - wheat (3.0 t/ha) (Table 1). Rice - peanut also yielded more protein, carbohydrate, and energy. Yields of wheat and peanut increased with increasing irrigation; mungbean yields decreased after two irrigations. As

1 (I1) 3 (I2) 5 (I3) Mean 1 (I1) 2 (I2) 3 (I3) Mean 1 (I1) 3 (I2) 4 (I3) Mean LSD (0.05) I F FI IF CV (%) I F
aFI

Mungbean

Peanut

= LSD of 2 submeans at the same level of main. IF = LSD of 2 main means at same level of different levels of sub. CV (%) I = CV of main plot, F = CV of subplots.

fertility level decreased yield of all crops was reduced. The interactions were significant at all

levels of irrigation and fertility (Table 2). The best responses were with mid-level irrigation and high fertility.

ERRATA
IRRN 12:5 (Oct 1987) Performance of improved rice varieties in farmers fields in Bhutan, by N. Q. R. Nathaniels, et al. In the table (p. 5), the site mean yield for

Techuzamba, Wangdiphodrang, should read 6.7 t/ha (not 3.3 t/ha).

IRRN 125 (Oct 1987) p. 37. Chemical analyses and thermal studies of azolla. The first authors name should read M. L. Aldema.

IRRN 13:2 (April 1988) 27