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Growth and yield of rice in the Murrumbidgee Valley as influenced by climate, method of sowing, plant density and nitrogen nutrition

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posted on 2022-03-29, 02:02 authored by Engel Brugger Boerema
The climate of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation areas varies only slightly regionally; the long summer days with high solar radiation allow a growing season of 190-200 days and are conducive to high yields. Nevertheless, appreciable variations in annual yields occur, these being associated with low temperatures at sowing and particularly at flowering. A high proportion of sterile florets are induced with minimum temperatures of less than 15°C, this effect being accentuated by high concentrations of nitrogen. Two series of field experiments were made at two sowing dates over two seasons. In one series the varieties Calrose, Kulu and Baru were sown either by combine or aerially with three rates of nitrogen fertiliser. In the other the same three varieties were compared at two densities and two rates of nitrogen supply. Detailed growth analyses were made from fortnightly harvests. Aerial sowing gave the most rapid early growth leading to a large leaf area, especially with high nitrogen. Lodging later in the season was encouraged and the yield was frequently reduced below that of combine-sown rice with an intermediate supply of nitrogen, the yield reduction being reflected by a high degree of floret sterility and low grain weight. These and other differences between the varieties and the.treatments explored were analysed in detail throughout the season. One interesting effect was an apparent increase in growth rate late in the season. Low density resulted in slow early growth but differences between densities narrowed during grain-filling. Nitrogen had a larger effect than density. Calrose appeared to be the best adapted variety, tillering more profusely than the thick-stemmed Baru with its large panicle. Although Baru had the highest potential for yield, this was rarely realised mainly because of high floret sterility. Kulu tillered too profusely and was also prone to floret sterility. A reasonable detailed analyses of the nitrogen balance was made. The rate of nitrification during fallow was about O.46 ppm d ̄ ¹ and after adding sulphate of ammonia this rose to 2.2 ppm d ̄ ¹during the germinating period prior to permanent flood. Denitrification is extremely rapid after permanent flood. Ammonium ions are not lost when reducing conditions are induced; hence the most effective use of nitrogen is obtained with aerial sowing or applying it just before permanent flood after combine sowing. Then 30.6% of that applied was recovered in the crop compared with 16% when combined in with the seed.

History

Table of Contents

I. Introduction -- II. Materials and methods -- III. Some influences of climate on growth and yield of rice in the Murrumbidgee Valley -- IV. Growth and yield of combine and aerial sown rice -- V. Plant density and nitrogen on prowth, yield and yield components of three rice varieties -- VI. The nitrogen economy of rice crops -- VII. References -- VIII. Index.

Notes

"The work described in this thesis was carried out at the Yanco Agricultural College and Research Centre, Yanco, N.S.W., 2703, in association with the School of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Hyde,N.S.W. 2113 Thesis submitted to Macquarie University for the degree of Master of Science with Honours" "Yanco, March 1974" Bibliography: pages 94-103

Awarding Institution

Macquarie University

Degree Type

Thesis masters research

Degree

MA, Macquarie University, School of Biological Sciences

Department, Centre or School

School of Biological Sciences

Year of Award

1974

Principal Supervisor

F.L. Milthorpe

Rights

Copyright disclaimer: http://www.copyright.mq.edu.au Copyright Engel Brugger Boerema 1974.

Language

English

Jurisdiction

New South Wales

Extent

1 online resources (103 pages) illustrations, maps, charts

Former Identifiers

mq:31296 http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/291069 2175607

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