Enumeration of impact of rain at various growth stages on paddy discoloration

The effect of simulated rain at different growth stages on discoloration of paddy was assessed through open field and polytunnel experiments. The paddy discoloration was recorded to be the highest when 40 mm rain was simulated on milk stage followed by the dough stage. Simulated rain at flowering stage or grain maturity stage produced lesser discoloration. Rain simulated in combination of two stages (i.e. 40 mm rainfall on both stages) resulted in the highest incidence and severity of discoloration at milk stage+dough stage followed by milk stage+grain maturity stage. In contrast, the discoloration was lesser when rain was simulated at dough+grain maturity stages.