Performance of upland rice cultivars at different sowing times: An alternative for crop rotation in low altitude Cerrado region, Brazil

Abstract

The adequacy of the best sowing times and the choice of rice cultivars is determinant for greater investment and return in upland rice cultivation. Thus, this study identified the best sowing time and the cultivar that expresses its yield potential, being adaptable and stable, in a low altitude Cerrado region. The study was conducted during the agricultural year 2016/17. The soil of the site is a typical clayey dystrophic Red Latosol. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, in factorial scheme with four sowing times in spring/summer season (October, November, December and February), each with eight upland rice cultivars (BRS Esmeralda, ANa 5015, ANa 6005, IPR 117, IAC 500, IAC 203, BRSGO Serra Dourada and ANa 7211) and four replicates. The following parameters were evaluated: days elapsed from emergence to flowering and harvesting, number of panicles m -2 number of filled spikelets per panicle, thousand grain weight and yield. Analyzes of adaptability and stability were performed as well as the principal components analysis. Except for the hundred grains weight, sowing times and cultivars interacted significantly for all characteristics evaluated. The cultivar BRS Esmeralda was adapted and stable to the different sowing times, being the most productive mainly when sown in October. The high yields were correlated with better grain filling, according principal components analysis.