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Title: EFFECTS OF PANICLE BLIGHT ON GRAIN WEIGHT AND GERMINATION OF RICE

Author
item LAI, X-H - TEXAS A&M UNIV
item McClung, Anna
item Marchetti, Marco
item Petersen, H

Submitted to: Rice Technical Working Group Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Panicle blight (PB) is a physiological disease of unknown causes and characterized by seemingly spontaneous abortion of developing grains on a panicle. This study was undertaken to quantify the effects of PB on grain weight and viability of grains from panicles with PB. In 1996, some 35 yield plots in the varietal improvement blocks of Beaumont, TX were rated as moderately highly or affected by PB. About 40 blighted panicles and 20 non-blighted panicles were selected from each plot and hand-threshed. In addition, 20 panicles each were collected from nine plots which were free of PB. Each sample was cleaned and separated by aspirator into three groups by grain weight. After weighing, the middle group was discarded. Counts and weights were recorded. Two reps of 50 grains from each sample were tested for germination. The study was repeated in 1997 with samples from 27 plots. PB reduced viability of filled grains by 16% and of light grains by 56%. PB reduced kernel weight of filled grains by 8% and of light grains b 25%. PB reduced the number of filled grains per panicle by 67% and the overall panicle weight by 55%.