EFFECT OF METEOROLOGY AND SOIL FERTILITY ON DIRECT-SEEDED RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L.) PERFORMANCE IN CENTRAL CHINA

The aim of this study was to study the effect of meteorology and soil fertility on direct-seeded rice growing period and yield formation. A two year field experiment was conducted with six rice varieties (Fengliangyou 2 (FYL-2), Fengliangyouxiang-1 (FLYX-1), Liangyou 168 (LY-168), Guofeng-1 (GF-1), Quanyou-801 (QY-801) and Japonica Rice-107 (WD-107)) in Central China during 2017 and 2018. Two soil fertilities (high fertility and low fertility) were texted in present study. The result showed that the difference in temperature and sunshine hours during the growth periods between 2017 and 2018 induced the difference in growing period and grain yield. On the other hand, compared to low soil fertility, high soil fertility significantly increased grain yield of direct seeded rice by promoting panicle number and grain number. The highest yield was recorded in QY-801 in both years and both soil fertilities, Quanyou-801 might be the most suitable variety for direct-seeded rice planting in Central China.