Identifying Panicle Initiation in rice

Summary

Panicle initiation (PI) is a growth stage representing the start of the reproductive phase in rice development. It is when the panicle begins to form in the base of the tiller and is valuable as it provides a definite marker for crop development. Panicle initiation is defined as when 3 out of 10 main tillers have a panicle 1 to 3 mm long.

Panicle initiation is the second most efficient time to apply nitrogen to a rice crop because the full crop canopy reduces fertiliser volatilisation, and the extensive near-surface root system takes up nitrogen soon after application.

Topics include:

  • what is panicle Initiation?
  • why is it important to identify panicle initiation?
  • when does panicle initiation occur?
  • how to identify panicle initiation
  • the top-dressing window



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Primefact 1278 Fourth Edition

Published: Jul 2023