SHADING EFFECT ON VARIOUS TRAITS AND THEIR ASSOCIATION IN RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L.)

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most essential food commodities, and to increase rice production, weather is a significant factor affecting productivity, especially the sunlight requirement. Appropriate shading techniques and regulating the sunlight can enhance rice production. The presented study aimed to increase rice production under shaded environments. The latest research began in November 2023 until February 2024 at the Malikussaleh University. The study employed a split-plot design with three replications, and the primary factor was shading and no shade at the main plot. The secondary factor was the six rice genotypes, i.e., US-20 (Unsyiah Simeulue), CBD-08 (Cot Bada), CBD-04 (Cot Bada), Sigupai UA12, Cibatu, and Inpago9, used as subplots. The rice genotypes and shade (G × N) interactions demonstrated significant (P < 0.01) differences for the number of tillers, total grains, and filled grains and grain weight per hill. Inpago-9 exhibited the highest grain weight per hill (74.67 g) under the shaded condition. The correlation was significantly positive between grain weight per hill under shaded conditions and the number of productive tillers, total grain number, number of filled grains, and 1000-grain weight. The use of shade represents a potential alternative of increasing rice production; however, the net assimilation rate demonstrated a notable decline.