CONTRIBUTION OF TILLERS WITHIN A RICE PLANT TO

Abstract

A study was conducted at Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku, Pakistan during 2003-04 to 2004-05 to investigate the contribution of tillers within a rice plant towards grain yield (cv. Super Basmati). Data revealed that tillers within a plant significantly affected yield components. Main shoot (culm) had maximum panicle length (28.35 cm), which was significantly longer than primary (26.68 cm), secondary (25.42 cm) and tertiary tillers (23.78 cm). Main shoot (culm) had significantly more spikelets (112.80) and filled grain (94.83) per panicle. Spikelets and filled grain per panicle in primary, secondary and tertiary tillers were in a decreasing trend from primary to tertiary tillers. Unfilled grains per panicle were statistically nonsignificant but sterility percentage values were significant. Sterility percentage was maximum (24.89) in tertiary tillers and minimum in main culm (15.93). Sterility percentage in primary(19.50) and secondary (20.65) was statistically at par but was in ascending order of culm primary > secondary > tertiary tillers.