Optimum Seed Rate and Nitrogen Fertilizer Requirement of Rice Under Semi-deepwater Ecosystem

The effect of varying seed rates (100–1000 seeds m⁻²) and nitrogen fertilizer (0–60 kg N ha_-1) applied either in a single basal dose or in splits was investigated on a tall elongating, photosensitive rice variety, Nalini, under semi-deepwater conditions (0–100cm) during 1993 and 1994 at Cuttack, India. Seedling emergence was higher in 1993 (53.9 %) than in 1994 (44.1 %) and it increased proportionately with increasing seed rate, Increase in the number of tillers and panicles m⁻² at higher seed rates was associated with a corresponding decrease in panicle weight. Regression analysis indicated a decrease of 0.91–1.28g in panicle weight for an increase of 100 panicles m⁻². The grain yield of rice was significantly higher at 400 seeds m⁻² in 1993 and at 600 seeds m⁻² in 1994 than at low seed rates but further increase in seed rate did not increase the yield. Application of N fertilizer increased the panicle number and thereby grain yield significantly. The effect of basal and split applied N at active or maximum tillering stages as well as between 30 and 60 kg N ha⁻¹ was not significant on the grain yield. The results suggest that a basal dose of 30kg N ha⁻¹ and seeding density of 400–600 seeds m⁻², resulting in 40–50 % seedling emergence and 150–200 panicles m⁻², each with 2.0–2.5 g weight, may be adequate for optimum productivity of rice under semideepwater conditions.     

Breaking Uniculm Growth Habit of Spring Cereals at High Latitudes by Crop Management. II. Tillering, Grain yield and Yield Components

Long days at high latitudes inhibit tillering of cereals and hence seeding rates of 500–700 seeds m⁻² are commonly used for spring wheat, barley and oats in Finland. Costs could be reduced by using a lower seeding rate in combination with crop management to produce more head-bearing tillers m⁻². This study was designed to assess possibilities of breaking the uniculm growth habit of spring cereals by (1) lowering the seeding rate from 600 to 300 seeds m⁻² and (2) manipulating tiller growth with early mechanical treatments to the crop (rolling, cutting) or chemical applications (foliar urea, CCC and GA). A low seeding rate and early application of foliar CCC at high latitudes, under good moisture conditions prior to heading, promoted 20% more head-bearing tillers and 6% higher grain yield than standard management practices. However, cultivars differed in their response to CCC. The advantageous effects of CCC at a low seeding rate were attributed to increase, over the controls, in contribution of head-bearing tillers to grain yield in wheat (cultivar Heta ), but more grains per head in oats (cultivar Veli ). Varietal recommendations for use of low seeding rate in combination with early CCC spraying should be examined further.     

Effect of Seeding Rate on Seed and Hay Yield in Common Vetch (Vicia sativa L.)

The effects of six seeding rates (50-300 seeds m^−2:) on some morphological traits with hay and seed yield were evaluated in common vetch ( Vicia sativa L.) under fall and spring sowing conditions. The mutual correlations among yield and yield components were also determined.
The sowing seasons and seeding rates significantly affected hay and seed yield, and most of the yield components. Fall sowings resulted in significantly higher hay and seed yield than spring sowings at all seeding rates, and the highest seed and hay yield was achieved in densities of 250 and 300 seeds m⁻². In spring sowings there was a positive response in hay yield up to 250 seeds m⁻² while no further increase in seed yield at the seeding rates higher than 150 seeds m⁻². Average protein content of hay and seed was found to be higher in spring sown crops than fall. The highest protein yields of hay and seed were obtained at 250 seeds m⁻² in fall sowings, and 150 seeds m⁻² in spring sowings.
Most of the correlations between both hay and seed yields with the yield components were not consistent and differed with the sowing time. Only the correlations between number of the plants per unit area with hay yield, and number of the pods and seeds per unit area with seed yield were statistically significant in both sowing seasons. Close positive associations were obtained between hay and seed yield.     

The Effect of Seeding Rate and Nitrogen Fertilization on Barley Yield and Yield Components in a Cool Maritime Climate

Soil and climatic conditions in Newfoundland are on the margins of agricultural capability, and almost all feed grain is imported. The overall objective of this work was to develop guidelines for the production of barley in Newfoundland, with the goal of establishing modern cropping recommendations. We conducted a 4-year study near St. John's to examine the effect of seeding rate and topdress ammonium nitrate (N) fertilization rate on Chapais six-row barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) yield components and grain yield. Increasing seeding rate from 200 to 380 seeds m^–2 did not alter grain yield in any year. Increasing topdress fertilization from 0 to 60 kg N ha^–1 increased spike density m^–2 at harvest, resulting in linear increases in grain yield in all years. Highest N rates had greatest lodging in two years. Based on our results, agronomic recommendations for eastern Newfoundland now include barley seeding rates of 250 ± 50 seeds m^–2, with topdress applications up to at least 30 kg N ha^–1.     

Influence of Solar Radiation and Vapour Pressure Deficit on Transpiration Efficiency of Rainfed Sorghum

Besides assimilation, plant water relations are important aspects of physiological basis of productivity of crops in water limited environment. The relationships of photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, leaf water potential and stomatal conductance with photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and vapour pressure deficit (VPD) during pre-flowering (panicle initiation to ear emergence) and grain filling (from anthesis to maturity) stages of a sorghum hybrid (cv. CSH-6 ) grown under rainfed conditions were studied. Photosynthesis rate declined when PAR was above 1300 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. during both the growth stages. Higher transpiration rate during grain filling stage at higher PAR caused the transpiration efficiency to be lower than during pre-flowering stage when PAR was above 1200 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹.Leaf water potential and stomatal conductance decreased with increase in PAR. Leaf water potential was higher during pre-flowering than during grain filling stage but maximum photosynthesis rate was similar during both the growth stages. Changes in VPD did not qualitatively alter the relationships of the physiological variables with PAR.
Decreasing photosynthesis rate and LWP at high PAR suggest that photosynthesis rate was limited by low leaf water potential when PAR was optimal, and by low PAR even when leaf water potential was high in rainfed sorghum during rainy season.     

Evaluation of Upland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes for Intercropping with Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan [L.] (Mill sp.))

Eleven upland rice genotypes of varying growth duration and plant stature were evaluated in two cropping systems: monocrop and intercrop, with pigeon pea cv. U pas 120, in order to study the effects of intercropping on rice grain yield and its contributing characteristics during 1990 to 1992 wet seasons. Cropping system and cropping system × genotype interaction effects were significant for yield ha⁻¹, panicle weight, panicles m⁻² and spikelet fertility suggesting the need for evaluating and selecting genotypes suitable for intercropping. Rice grain yield reduction in the intercrop ranged from 24.5 % in genotype RR 203-16 to 54.5 % in genotype Aditya. Panicle weight, total dry matter at flowering as well as at harvest, and harvest index were also reduced. Plant height and panicle weight were positively associated with yield in both systems, however, the yield was positively and significantly correlated with spikelets per panicle and spikelet fertility with the intercropping system. The correlation between cropping systems indicated the possibility of simultaneous improvement for these characteristics in monocropping and intercropping.     

Analysis of Growth and Productivity of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea) in Relation to FYM, Nitrogen and Source of Fertilizer

A field experiment was conducted during the winter seasons of 1992–93 and 1993–94 at Anand to study the effect of FYM, nitrogen and source of fertilizer on growth and yield of mustard [ Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj & Cosson]. The results showed significant variation in leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), dry matter production and seed yield. The direct effect of farmyard manure (FYM) was conspicuous in improving the growth of mustard. FYM application at 10 tonnes ha⁻¹ significantly increased the LAI, CGR and dry matter accumulation per plant at almost all the stages during first year study (1992–93) and in pooled analysis. Similarly, nitrogen application registered maximum LAI, CGR at 75 kg level and RGR and NAR at 50 kg level at almost all the during both years. Sulphur carrying source (Ammonium sulphate plus single super phosphate) increased all stages growth characters. Maximum dry matter accumulation per plant and seed yield were recorded with highest levels of FYM (20 tonnes ha⁻¹), N (75 kg ha⁻¹) and source having S. Seed yield was strongly associated with LAI and dry matter accumulation per plant at all the stages.     

The Effects of Ethephon, Chlormequat Chloride and Mixtures of Ethephon and Chlormequat Chloride Applied at the Beginning of Stem Elongation on Spike-Bearing Shoots and other Yield Components of Spring Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Effects of chlormequat chloride (CCC), ethephon and mixtures of CCC and ethephon, applied at Zadoks growth stage (ZGS) 30 (the beginning of stem elongation) on the number of spike-bearing shoots and their contribution to grain yields of four spring barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars were studied in 1987 and 1988 at McGill University, Quebec, Canada. The results varied between years and among cultivars. The mixtures of CCC and ethephon or ethephon alone, produced significant increases in the number of spikes m⁻² in cultivars Joly and Laurier , in both years, and in Leger only in 1988. Ethephon and ethephon containing mixtures reduced the yields of Joly and Leger in 1988. In both years CCC had no effect on spikes m⁻² for all cultivars. Increases in spikes m⁻² were accompanied by decreases in 1000-grain weight, and/or grains per spike, which offset or more than offset potential benefits from increased spikes m⁻². These results indicate that under continental climatic conditions such as those prevalent in Quebec, Canada, application of PGRs to spring barley at ZGS 30 does not increase grain yield through an increased number of spikes m⁻².     

Nitrogen Level and Seeding Rate Effects on the Performance of Hulled Wheats (Triticum monococcum L., T. dicoccum Schubler and T. spelta L.) Evaluated in Contrasting Agronomic Environments

Effects of the nitrogen level and of the seeding rate on the performance of Triticum monococcum L., T. dicoccum Schübler and T. spelta L. (hulled wheats, together referred as 'farro') in comparison with bread wheat (variety Eridano) were evaluated. Field trials were conducted in five contrasting environments located in the north and central areas of Italy. Eridano mean grain yield was 3.86 t ha⁻¹, resulting the highest in all the field trials. T. spelta, T. dicoccum and T. monococcum net grain yield was 2.71 t ha⁻¹, 2.371 ha⁻¹ and 1.06 t ha⁻¹, respectively. Significant differences in all the evaluated parameters were observed among the species as well as among the environments. Biomass yield, grain protein and SDS sedimentation values of the hulled wheats were significantly influenced by nitrogen, which had no effect on grain yield. The results show the necessity to breed hulled wheat varieties adapted to the Italian environments and competitive with the bread wheat productivity in the marginal areas.     

Response of Triticale Grain Yield and Yield Components to Number of Cuttings in a Mediterranean Environment

In six field experiments conducted over 2 years, the effect of one or two cuttings on grain yield of triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) were investigated. In addition, the relationships between triticale grain yield its components were analysed.
Grain yield of the uncut plots invariably exceeded the plots with one or two cuttings, regardless of the environment or year. The reductions in grain yield caused by one cutting ranged from 27 % to 60 % under rainfed conditions and 18 % to 20 % under irrigation. With two cuttings the reduction was 45 % to 70 % for rainfed, and 35 % to 48 % for irrigated conditions.
The yield components which most influenced grain yield of triticale under cutting treatment were the number of ears m⁻² in all six experiments and the number of grains per ear under rainfed conditions. At the rainfed sites in 1989 cuttings diminished the number of ears m⁻² mainly by increasing plant mortality. Nevertheless, at the rainfed sites of 1990 and at the irrigated site of both years, the reduction in the number of ears m⁻² with cuttings was due principally to a lower survival of tillers per plant.     

Growth and Yield Response of Lentil Cultivars to Phosphorus, Zinc and Biofertilizers

A field experiment was conducted to study the growth and yield responses of lentil cultivars to phosphorus, zinc and biofertilizer application on a sandy loam soil during the winter seasons of 1989–90 and 1990–91 at the farm of Division of Agronomy, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. The two lentil cultivars used in the study were Microsperma (JL 1) and Macrosperma (Lens 4076) and the biofertilizers were Rhizobium and VAM fungi. Results showed that higher values of LAI, root nodulation, yield attributes (number of pods plant⁻¹, number of grains pod⁻¹ and grain yield plant⁻¹), grain yield and harvest index were obtained from JL 1 whereas plant height and 1000 grain weight were higher in Lens 4076. Application of 17.2 kg Pha⁻¹ as single superphosphate (SSP) along with 5 kg Znha⁻¹ as zinc sulphate resulted in marked improvement in growth and yield attributes, grain yield and harvest index when compared with the 17.2 kg P as rock phosphate (with and without Zn) and the control treatments. Combined inoculation of Rhizobium and VAM fungi resulted in improved growth and yield attributes, grain yield and harvest index when compared with inoculation of either of the inocula at a time.     

Soybean Yield and Yield Components in Two Planting Patterns

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] plant density for maximum yield in Japan is usually from 16 to 25 plants m⁻². The objective of this study was to compare yield and yield components, especially node number between square- and zigzag- (an equilateral triangle-planting pattern or plants in the row offset from each other) planting patterns within a range of plant populations (16, 20 and 25 plants m⁻²).
Field experiments with cultivar Enrei (Maturity Group VII) were conducted in the field at Niigata University on a loamy sand soil in 1991, 1992 and 1993.
Yield increased as density decreased in 1991 and as density increased in 1992 and 1993. This result seemed to be due to adverse weather conditions during seed filling in 1991. Yield tended to be higher in zigzag- than in square-planting patterns except at 20 plants m⁻². Seed number m⁻² due to increased yield was highly correlated with branch node number. The yield increase was caused by an increase in total node number, especially branch node number m⁻² (about 60 % contribution at 16 plants m⁻² and about 40 % contribution at 25 plants m⁻²).     

Response of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) to Applied Nitrogen with or without Ethrel Spray under Non-irrigated Conditions

Field studies were conducted during the winter seasons of 1995–96 and 1996–97 at the Agricultural Farm of Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India on mustard ( Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss., var. Alankar) under non-irrigated conditions, to evaluate the effect of foliar spray of 200 p.p.m. ethrel (2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid) at flowering growth stage along with basal 0, 40, 80 or 120 kg N ha⁻¹ on net photosynthetic rate (P_N), stomatal conductance (C_S), stomatal resistance (R_S), leaf K content, relative water content (RWC), leaf area index (LAI) and total dry matter (TDM) production monitored at 20 days after spray application, and plant N content, seed N content, nitrogen harvest index (NHI), nitrogen yield merit (NYM), pods plant⁻¹, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, biological yield, harvest index (HI), seed yield merit (SYM) and merit of genotype (MOG) at harvest. Results indicated that, at 0 or 40 kg N ha⁻¹, ethrel did not produce any significance effect, but at basal 80 kg N ha⁻¹, ethrel affected the parameters favourably with the exception of 1000 seed weight, HI, seed N and NHI. Ethrel-sprayed plants utilized N from the soil more effectively and showed increased NYM. Yield attributes, seed yield and merit of genotype (in terms of NYM and SYM) were also enhanced. Ethrel spray enhanced seed yield under water stress conditions mainly by increasing K uptake and retaining higher RWC, thereby decreasing R_S and increasing LAI, P_N and TDM production.     

长沙烟区烟稻复种体系晚稻肥密互作效应研究

为明确长沙烟区烟稻复种体系烟后晚稻的适宜施氮量和种植密度,以丰源优299为材料,于2013-2014年在湖南省长沙市浏阳市开展了烟后晚稻的肥密互作效应研究。结果表明：烟后晚稻全生育期因施氮延长2d,与密度无明显关系;水稻LAI整体随施氮量和密度增大而提高,但是施氮量和密度间存在互作效应,且两年的互作效应有差异;烟后晚稻叶片SPAD值因施氮而明显提高,与密度关系不大;水稻产量构成因素中,千粒重较稳定,不因密度与施氮量变化而发生显著变化;密度与施氮量对烟后晚稻产量构成因素有明显互作效应,较低密度（152 000~200 000穴/hm ²）条件下,有效穗数、穗粒数和产量随密度和施氮量增大而明显提高,而较高密度（210000~300000穴/hm ²）条件下,结实率随施氮量增大而增大,有效穗数、穗粒数和产量随施氮量增大表现先升后降趋势,密度300 000穴/hm ²、施氮90kg/hm ²处理表现最好。     

Einfluß des Lichtangebotes auf das Wachstum und die biologische Stickstoff-Fixierung von Weißklee (Trifolium repens L.)

Influence of light quantity on growth and biological nitrogen fixation of white clover ( Trifolium repens L.)
The influence of photon irradiance (E_p; 100 to 500 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and of the photoperiod (16 or 11 h) on growth and nitrogenase activity of nodulated white clover plants was studied in growth chambers at two nitrate levels (1.0 and 7.5 mM NO₃⁻).
Total dry mass production, the root proportion and nitrogenase activity increased with increasing E_p and photoperiod. Nitrogenase activity generally increased proportionally to root mass. Only at low E_p (100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and under a short photoperiod (11 h) was the specific nitrogenase activity per unit root mass reduced. An abrupt change in E_p led to a rapid and parallel change in nitrogenase activity and relative growth rate.
A higher NO₃⁻ concentration in the nutrient solution (7.5 mM) led to a marked decrease in specific nitrogenase activity, but increased growth between 200 and 500 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ during early development only. At 100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, there was no growth response to nitrate, although its effect on nitrogenase activity was more marked than at a higher E_p.
The results show that with changing light quantity, biological nitrogen fixation of white clover adapts to the existing demand for nitrogen and does not limit growth except during early development, even when light supply is low.     

Spring Barley Responses to Nitrogen Fertilizer and Ethephon in Regions with a Short Crop Growing Season

Aspects of intensive management practices such as high N fertilization inputs and plant growth regulator use could potentially increase cereal yields in regions with a short crop-growing season and occasionally dry and hot weather. A field experiment was carried out for four years (1987 to 1990) at Agronomy Research Centre of McGill University, Canada to evaluate the response of spring barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) cv. Cadette, Laurier and Leger to N rates (0, 70 and 140 kg N ha⁻¹) and ethephon (2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid) growth regulator treatment. The application of higher than conventional N level (70 kg N ha⁻¹) did not increase barley yields under dry weather conditions and when the soil N resources were high. The high levels of N did increase the grain crude protein concentration by 2 to 10 g kg⁻¹, as did ethephon treatment. The feed quality of spring barley was improved. Ethephon treatment reduced grain yield due to a severe reduction in the number of grains spike⁻¹, and/or 1000-grain weight, although the number of spikes m⁻² was increased. Thus, the overall effect of ethephon treatment on yield was inconsistent and was influenced to a large extent by the prevailing weather conditions.     

Plant Development and Stem Yield of Non-domestic Fibre Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Cultivars in Long-day Growth Conditions in Finland

Plant development and stem yield of mono- and dioecious fibre hemp cultivars ( Cannabis sativa L.), introduced to Finland from regions of lower latitude, were studied in field experiments under long-day growth conditions in 1995–96. Plant density, plant mortality rate, stem elongation and stem yield were determined. Plant densities at seedling stage were less than the targeted viable seeds sown m⁻². Seedling densities differed significantly among cultivars, but had no significant effect on plant mortality rate in 1996. Plant mortality during the 1996 growing season averaged 34 plants m⁻². Stem elongation was measured at one-week intervals throughout the growing time. The elongation among cultivars was different and depended on the date of measurement. Rapid elongation began five to six weeks after sowing and elongation was most pronounced in July. Dioecious cultivars were significantly taller than monoecious ones in 1995 but not in 1996 when hemp stands were dense, nitrogen was deficient and an infection of Botrytis vinerea was present. Dioecious cultivars produced higher stem yields than monoecious ones. However, in 1996 the difference in yield was not statistically significant among most of the cultivars, Cultivar Uso 11 was early maturing and produced highest stem yield among monoecious cultivars; it also competed well with the higher yielding dioecious cultivars.     

Plant Growth Regulator Effects on Protein Content and Yield of Spring Barley and Wheat

Plant growth regulators (PGR) have potential to increase grain yield and may also alter grain protein levels of cereal crops. A 3-yr field experiment with spring barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) and wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars was conducted to determine whether ethephon treatment increased protein concentration, protein yield, and grain yield. A greenhouse experiment was also conducted to evaluate the response of barley grain protein concentration to gradual addition of ethephon (2.2 × 10^-3 mM) or chlormequat (5.8 × 10^-3 mM) solution after an thesis. Under field conditions, ethephon treatment increased barley and wheat grain protein concentrations by as much as 16 % but decreased grain yield so that protein yield increases were small or did not occur. For Laurier barley, total gram N content was increased by up to 20 % in one year of this study. However, over the 3 years, an inverse relation existed between grain protein and yield. Greenhouse data showed that i) the gradient in grain size and protein concentration among spikelets of a spike, which is established before anthesis, was not affected by either chlormequat or ethephon; and ii) chlormequat increased grain protein by 7 to 11 % whereas ethephon increased protein concentration by up to 13 % in one of the two experiments. Our data indicate that PGR can alter protein accumulation in the grain, and thus, the quality of bread wheat and feed barley crops can be increased m regions with a short crop-growing season. However, a portion of the increase in gram protein concentration is due to decreased starch deposition, which is associated with yield reductions. The greenhouse data confirmed that a portion of the increase in grain protein concentration due to PGR application is caused by increased protein accumulation in the barley grain.     

The Performance of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) and its Role in Determining Yield Advantages in Mixed Stands of Pea and Oat (Avena sativa L.)

On a brown warp soil (Fluventic Eutrochrept) near Goettingen, Germany, conventional leafed pea ( Pisum sativum L. cvs Messire and Bohatyr) and semileafless types (cvs Profi, Juno and Azur) were grown in mixed stands together with oat ( Avena sativa cvs Alf and Lutz) in substitutively designed experiments from 1995 to 1997. Oat was the dominant component. Crowding coefficients for oat averaged 7.4. No relationship could be detected between the crowding coefficient of oat and any yield advantage from the mixture. Crowding coefficients for pea varied substantially, between 0.1002 (Juno and Alf in 1996) and 0.2979 (Bohatyr and Alf in 1996). Crowding coefficients for semileafless pea cultivars were smaller than for conventional leafed types. The yield advantage of the mixture increased as the crowding coefficient of pea increased. The maximum yield increase for the mixture was achieved when the relative yield total (RYT)=1.17 or + 11 dt grain DM ha^–1 for mixtures of the long-strawed conventional leafed cultivars Bohatyr and Alf (in 1996). The crowding coefficients of pea were positively correlated with the level of symbiotically fixed N₂ in the mixed stands. When N₂ fixation with mixed cropping was about 30 kg N ha^–1, RYT was unity. Increasing symbiotic N₂ in the mixtures resulted in increasing yield advantages in the mixture. Short-strawed pea cultivars seem unsuitable for mixing with oat. Plant height of pea appeared to be more important than plant leaf type. Accordingly, mixtures containing the long-strawed semileafless pea cultivars Profi and Alf were more successful. It is concluded that increased competitiveness of the pea component in the mixture with oat entails increasing the level of symbiotic N₂ fixation including resource complementarity and thus yield advantage in the mixed stands.     

Effects of Elevated Ultraviolet-B Radiation on Productive Tillers, Spikelet Sterility and Grain Characteristics of Southern US Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars

Depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer is leading to an increase in ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation (280–320 nm) reaching the Earth's surface, which can alter crop productivity. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of elevated UVB radiation on rice production with special emphasis on grain characteristics in southern US rice cultivars (six inbred cultivars and three hybrids). Due to the spectral characteristics of the greenhouse glass, plants received no natural UVB radiation; hence, plants were provided with supplemental UVB lighting. Plants were exposed to UVB radiation of 0, 8 (ambient) or 16 (twice ambient) kJ m⁻² day⁻¹. There was no significant effect of elevated UVB radiation on the number of productive tillers in any cultivar except 'Sierra'. All the cultivars except 'Sierra' showed increased spikelet sterility with an increase in UVB radiation. There were decreases in main-stem panicle length, number of primary branches per panicle, and grain width with an increase in UVB radiation in most of the inbred cultivars. Elevated UVB radiation decreased plant grain yield in all the cultivars, however the per cent decrease in plant grain yield varied among the cultivars (31–79 %). The hybrid 'Clearfield XL729' performed best among the selected southern US rice cultivars under an elevated UVB environment.