Traditional rice varieties perform better in tidal floodplain

An adaptive trial was conducted in an extensive area in tidal floodplain of Jhalakati district during 2013-14 to compare yield performance and adaptability of a modern rice variety BRRI dhan 44 with two traditional varieties – Lalmota and Sadamota. A total of 150 farmers in six villages covering three upazila were involved in running the trial. Each participating farmer was randomly assigned to plant any one of the three varieties on his plot. Plot size varied between 0.134 ha and 0.587 ha with an average o.183 ha. The plots were close proximity to rivers and exposed to high tides. 48-62 days old seedlings were used. Seedlings of BRRI dhan 44 were transplanted at 25 cm x 15 cm spacing while the traditional varieties were transplanted at 40 cm x 25 cm. Sadamota recorded the highest grain yield (3.434 t ha-1). BRRI dhan 44 (3.029 t ha-1) and Lalmota (3.060 t ha-1) gave identical but significantly lower yield than Sadamota. Higher grain yield in Sadamota was associated with larger number of tillers per hill, panicles per unit area and higher grain weight. Despite higher population density, tidal flood seriously affected BRRI dhan 44 with 51% hill mortality.