Effect of transplanting date on sheath rot and yield of rice

The effect of five transplanting dates viz. 15^th May, 30^th May, 15^th June, 30^th June and 15^th July on sheath rot was studied in rice cultivar PR-116 during kharif 2002. Crop transplanted on 15^th May showed lesser sheath rot incidence (plant and tiller basis) and severity as compared to that transplanted on 15^th July, resulting in significantly more yield of rice. Percentage loss in yield was minimum (4.4%) in early transplanted crop (15^th May) and maximum (18.4%) in the late transplanted crop (15^th July). Similar trend was observed in 1000-grain weight. However, percent chaffiness and discoloration of grains increased with delay in date of transplanting.