Department of Crop Improvement, Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute (TNAU), Tiruchirappali 620 009
1 Division of Agricultural Chemicals, IARI, New Delhi 110 012.
Relative efficacy of three oxanilate formulations namely ethyl 4′fluorooxanilate, ethyl 4′bromooxanilate and ethyl 2′nitrooxanilate in comparison to the check gametocide sodium methyl arsenate was studied for selective induction of male sterility on the rice variety Pusa 150 at two concentrations and three stages of development. Ethyl 4′fluorooxanilate applied with 1500 ppm at stamen-pistil primordia stage or at stage between pollen mother cell formation and meiosis proved most effective with highest pollen and spikelet sterility, widest action spectrum and least phytotoxicity. Gametocides of wide action spectrum ensure higher seed yield and genetic purity. Pilot study on hybrid seed production revealed ethyl 4′fluorooxanilate applied as single spray at stamen-pistil primordia stage to be superior to sodium methyl arsenate with higher percentage seed set, test grain weight and seed yield.
Rice, hybrid, chemical hybridizing agent (CHA), gametocides, male sterility, seed production
