Growth and Yield of Six Modern Rice Varieties as Influenced by Two Tillage Systems in Sta. Cruz, Zambales

Abstract

The study was conducted in Barangay Lipay, Sta. Cruz, Zambales to determine the effect of reduced and conventional tillage on the growth and yield of six modern rice varieties; determine the highest yielding rice variety as affected by conventional and reduced tillage; determine the interaction between tillage systems and rice varieties; and determine the profitability of growing different rice varieties as affected by conventional and reduced tillage. Modern rice varieties grown under reduced tillage produced higher number of productive tillers, longer panicles, and higher number of filled grains per panicle. NSIC Rc134 and NSIC Rc298 were the best performers among the modern rice varieties in terms of weight of 1000 grains, number of grains and filled grains per panicle, and total and computed yield. No significant interaction between tillage systems and varieties was observed on all growth and yield parameters of the rice plants. Thus, either of the two tillage systems can be combined with any of the rice varieties. NSIC Rc134 grown under conventional tillage was the most profitable while NSIC Rc216 grown under reduced tillage obtained the highest ROI.