Ratoon Growth and Development in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Under Various Temperature Regimes

Plants exhibited differential response for ratoon growth and development under different temperature regimes before and after main crop harvest. Low temperature (23°/20 °C) before cutting induced ratooning whereas similar temperature after cutting delayed and reduced ratoon tillering. Ratoon grain yield and its attributes were significantly affected under various temperature regimes. Ratoon grain yield under low temperature regime before cutting did not differ from that of the control. Ratoon growth duration was maximum under low temperature regime after cutting. High temperature (37°/27 °C) after main crop cutting resulted in high spikelet sterility in the ratoon crop.