Panicle type: Few structural considerations for higher yield potential in rice

‘Panicle’ being the ultimate reservoir for storing food and increasing productivity, studies were conducted with early (Rasi, Ratna and IET 8890) medium (IET 7573, IET 7574 and IET 7575) and late (IET 5656, Mahsuri and Pankaj) rice varieties to isolate potential and ‘Productive Panicle’ based on the positive relationship observed between grain grade index (GGI) and grain yieid. Irrespective of the duration of the variety, high density grain (fully filled) were located more at the top followed by middle and bottom of the panicle. Varieties possessing higher percent of high density grain at the 1st basal branch of the panicle indicated higher yields. It was suggested that yield potential of the variety can be classiied as poor, average, moderate and high when the GGI (%) of the 1st basal primary branch of the panicle is less than 10, 20–30; 30–40 and >50 respectively.