SOIL APPLICATION OF BORON IMPROVES THE TILLERING, LEAF ELONGATION, PANICLE FERTILITY, YIELD AND ITS GRAIN ENRICHMENT IN FINE-GRAIN AROMATIC RICE

摘要

Boron (B) is one of the essential micronutrients having a specific role, particularly during reproductive phase, in rice. In a previous experiment on aerobic rice, panicle sterility was noted as one of the major challenges. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of soil-applied B on tillering, panicle sterility, water relations, and grain enrichment in fine-grain aromatic rice cultivars Super Basmati' and Shaheen Basmati'. Boron was soil applied at 0.50, 0.75, 1, 1.25, and 1.50kg ha(-1) while the control treatment did not receive B. Rate of leaf emergence and elongation and tiller appearance were significantly improved by B application. Likewise, B application also improved the leaf chlorophyll contents and water relations in both rice cultivars. Substantial improvement in kernel yield and yield contributing traits was also observed by B application owing to decrease in panicle sterility. A linear increase in leaf and kernel B contents was observed with increase in B application rate. However, the range for an optimum B application rate is very narrow and increase of B application beyond 1kg ha(-1) was toxic. In conclusion, soil application of B is an effective way to decrease panicle sterility and increase the kernel yield and grain B enrichment in rice.