Performance of rice hybrids determined by different planting arrangements

The practices and techniques used in irrigated rice to improve performance include optimal plant density and the best arrangement of the plants in an area. This study aims to evaluate the performance and plasticity in the yield and grain quality of three rice hybrids using different row spacing. The field experiments were conducted during the 2010/2011 season in rice crops in Capão do Leão, Viamão and Uruguaiana in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Three different sowing arrangements were evaluated, i.e., row spacing of 17 cm, 34 cm, and 17 cm alternated with 34 cm, which corresponded to densities of 40, 20 and 32 kg ha-1, respectively. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with subdivided plots replicated three times considering each location as a replication. Yield and grain quality were evaluated. The grain yield and grain quality components of the rice hybrids were not affected by the planting arrangements. The performance of the hybrids demonstrates their plasticity to compensate for lower densities resulting from different distances between planting rows. Therefore, with respect to seeding rates and row spacing for these hybrids, the amount of seed sown per area can be reduced compared with current recommendations. This will result in a cost reduction that can make this technology more attractive and ensure it is widely used in commercial rice fields.