Evaluation and Comparative Analysis of Meteorological Data, Moisture Content, and Rice Panicle Threshability

Abstract

Harvesting and threshing are crucial processes that influence the quantity, quality, and economic efficiency of rice production. Therefore, the threshability of rice varieties is an important agronomic trait for breeding programs. However, selection for threshability is hardly standardized. With the application of an improved threshing meter, the threshability of four local temperate japonica rice varieties was determined during the ripening phase (DAF 37–60) in three consecutive years. Panicle threshing force (TF in N) was measured parallel with seed moisture content (MC) to describe differences in ripening habits of the genotypes. Shapes of the separation pilei were observed and the relationship with the different types of grain shattering was found. The different threshability patterns of the genotypes were found as quite stable along these periods. Moreover, correlation among TF, MC, and 5-day averages of meteorological parameters during the ripening phase was determined. Precipitation, Tmean, Tmax, and relative humidity had a significant influence on the MC. Based on our results, the MC had a low but significant positive correlation with the TF (0.312 *).