Performance of Special Rice Varieties under Different Transplanting Dates in Lower Altitude Conditions of North Kashmir

Sowing environment and varieties are the two important factors that influence growth and final yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.). In this study, a field experiment was conducted during Kharif -2020 at experimental farm, Faculty of Agriculture, SKUAST-K, Wadura to study the performance of special rice varieties to different sowing windows under lower altitude conditions of Kashmir. The treatments comparing of three high value rice cultivars viz. Mushkbudji, SKAU-494 and Zag/Red rice, transplanted at three dates viz. 06^th June (early), 16^th June (mid) and 26^th June (late), laid out in a factorial randomized complete block design. The rice crop transplanted early (6^th June) did better than those transplanted in latter weeks of June in terms of growth, phenology, grain yield and quality. Variations among cultivars were also observed with SKUAST-494 registered statistically significant higher grain yield of 58.92q/ha. The cultivar also took longer time to attain different phenological stages than the other two cultivars. However, rice-Mushkbudji recorded better aroma score and less amylose content compared to other two cultivars. This high value rice varieties when transplanted early (June 6) under lower altitudes reached to their higher grain yields with better quality parameters and could be best alternative options to traditionally grown rice in the region due to their aroma and taste and will also be beneficial to farmers for realizing the higher income in the market.