Three field experiments were carried out to study the canopy assimilation characters, their stability over seasons and their relationship to productivity. Dry matter production (DMP) and grain yields were positively and significantly associated with each other and also with NAR and harvest index (HI). LAI had no significant effect on DMP and grain yields. High NAR types had higher assimilation rates (NAR) and grain yields with a greater stability (lower “b” values) over seasons for all the characters studied except LAI. Selection for genotypes with high LAI and high HI may improve grain yields in rice in high NAR types.
