Effects of various plant growth regulators and sowing methods on the growth, yield and quality of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice (Oryza sativa L) is an important source of food, as the population of the world is increasing the additional supply of rice is requisite to feed the population. Moringa leaf extract, salicylic acid and zinc sulphate are excellent growth regulators used worldwide. A field experiment was conducted on rice at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. Fine rice (super basmati) was sown by two methods (S1= transplanting method and S2= direct-seeded rice) supplied with three growth regulators G1= moringa leaf extract (30 times diluted), G2= salicylic acid (50 mg per liter) and G3= zinc sulphate (50 g per liter) as foliar applications and G0devised as control treatment. Foliar application of growth regulators to respective treatments was done at two stages (before and after flowering). Data regarding growth (crop growth rate, photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance), yield (number of grains per panicle, thousand grains weight, grain yield, biological yield and harvest index) and quality (normal kernel, sterile kernel, amylose contents, protein contents and brown rice rate) were studied. Compiled results of the study showed that moringa leaf extract along with the transplanting method performed better in most of the parameters than all other treatments. Transplanting with salicylic acid gave better results in the normal kernel, amylose contents and protein contents whereas zinc sulphate gave better results in brown rice rate.