Suitability study of indigenous rice varieties for promoting cultivation in Pathum Thani Province

Abstract

         The objective of this research was to evaluate suitability of four indigenous rice species for cultivation in Pathum Thani Province. In this work, growth, yield composition, and nutrition value of the rice were studied. Completely randomized design (CRD) was employed with a total of 400 rice plots; 100 plots for each species, in which 25 of the plots were cultivated with four replications. The species were Hom Dong, Pa-yah Leum Gaeng, Leuang Patew, and Hom Mali. The results showed that Hom Dong and Hom Mali had the best growth; plant height, days to 50% flowering, and days to harvesting, followed by Pa-yah Leum Gaeng and Leuang Patew, respectively. Leuang Patew had the highest number of tiller per plant. In terms of yield composition, Hom Dong and Hom Mali had the highest number of grains per panicle, good seeds per panicle, and grain length, followed by Pa-yah Leum Gaeng and Leuang Patew, respectively. Pa-yah Leum Gaeng had the highest grain weight of 100 grains. There was no significant difference in SPAD index, number of panicles per plant, grain width, and brown rice weight, among the four rice varieties. According to nutrient analysis, Hom Dong had the highest amount of protein. Hom Mali had the least amount of fat, followed by Hom Dong. Hom Mali also had the lowest amount of ash. However, the four rice varieties had no significant amounts in moisture, carbohydrate, calcium, and phosphorus. In conclusion, Hom Dong and Hom Mali were most suitable for promoting cultivation to farmers in Pathum Thani Province, followed by Pa-yah Leum Gaeng which had better growth and yield composition than those of Leuang Patew.