Comparative Growth-rates of Upland and Swamp Rice Varieties

The growth of swamp rice (Dima) and upland rice (Kindinga) wasstudied under tropical glass-house conditions in Trinidad. Kindinga ultimately attained greater dry weight and height thanDima but the total number of leaves and tillers per plant weregreater in Dima than in Kindinga. Kindinga had a greater numberof leaves, on the main shoot, than Dima. Growth curve of leaf-lamina area per plant was similar to thatof leaf-lamina dry weight in both varieties but leaf area perunit dry weight of lamina and per plant were usually greaterin Kindinga than in Dima. Over the whole period, the mean relative growth rate, leaf weightratio were greater in Kindinga than in Dima but net assimilationrate was greater in Dima than in Kindinga. Total nitrogen content was greater in Dima than in Kindingaduring the tillering period but later the reverse was the case.The rate of nitrogen absorption was high in both varieties duringthe tillering and reproductive phases. Split applications ofnitrogenous fertilizer are therefore suggested. The rate ofnitrogen absorption was, however, greater in Dima than in Kindingaduring the tillering period and latter half of the reproductivephase.