Philippine Journal of Science

138 (2): 219-226, December 2009

ISSN 0031 - 7683

Seedling Age Influence Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Performance

A.K.M. Khusrul Amin and M. Aminul Haque*

Water Resources Planning Organization, House No. 103,

Road No. 1, Banani, Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh

An experiment was carried out at the field laboratory of the Department of Agronomy,
Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh in Jul to Dec 2001. Two indigenous varieties,
viz.: Kalizira and Tulshimala, and two improved varieties, viz.: BRRI (Bangladesh Rice Research
Institute) Dhan 38 and BRRI Dhan 37, with four different aged seedlings, viz.: 15, 25, 35, and
45 days old, were transplanted on the same day maintaining 25 cm x 15 cm spacing. The highest
plant height was observed in BRRI Dhan 37 followed by Tulshimala and Kalizira among 35-
day old seedlings at 60 days after transplanting (DAT). But during harvest, 35-day old Kalizira
seedling gave the highest plant height. BRRI Dhan 38 and BRRI Dhan 37 seedlings, both 35 days
old, produced the highest number of tiller hill-1 at all DATs except 15 DAT. But during harvest,
only BRRI Dhan 38 with 35-day old seedling gave the best result. The highest LAI (Leaf Area
Index) was found in BRRI Dhan 38’s 35-day old seedling at 45, 60, and 75 DAT. However, at 15
DAT, BRRI Dhan 37’s 45-day old seedling showed the highest value of LAI. Kalizira’s 45-day
old seedling gave the lowest LAI at 75 DAT which was statistically similar to Tulshimala with
15 days old seedling. The highest grain yield (4.30 t ha­-1) was found in BRRI Dhan 38’s 35-day
old seedling, followed by BRRI Dhan 37’s with the same age of seedling (4.00 t ha­-1). The study
also revealed that the overall performance (growth, yield, and yield contributing characters)
of indigenous varieties were better with 35 days old seedlings.

Key Words: Growth, LAI, plant height, spacing, variety, yield

INTRODUCTION the varieties, IR26 followed by Suweon 258 produced the

All over the world, the importance of agriculture,
especially rice production, is increasing. To cope with
the rising population, rice production needs to increase
following vertical, instead of horizontal, expansion.
Varieties have a great effect on the growth performance
and yield contributing characters. Mia (1993) reported
that plant height differed significantly among BR3, BR11,
BR22, Nizershail, Pajam, and Badshabhog varieties in
aman season (Jul-Dec). Tiller number varied widely
among the varieties and the number of tillers plant-1 at
the maximum tiller number stage ranged between 14.3
and 39.5 in 1995 and 12.2 and 34.6 in 1996. Among all
*Corresponding author: maminul03@yahoo.com
highest tiller number, while Dawn produced the lowest
tiller number (Nuruzzaman et al. 2000). Chowdhury et
al. (1995) showed that grain and straw yields were higher
in the improved (BR3, BR11, Pajam, and Mala) than the
native (Maloti, Nizershail, and Chandrashail) varieties
It was found that among rice varieties (BR14, Pajam, BR5,
and Tulshimala), Tulshimala produced the highest number
of spikelets and BR14 produced the lowest (BRRI 1995).
Srivastva and Tripathi (1998) observed that increase in
grain yield in local check compared with hybrid might be
attributed to more effective tillers m-2, fertile grains per
panicle, panicle length, and 1000-grain weight. A study
carried out by Kamal et al. (1998) among nine modern
varieties (MVs) and six local improved varieties (LIVs)

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Vol. 138 No. 2, December 2009
found that among the MVs, BR11 gave the highest grain
yield followed by BR10, BR23, Binashail, and BR4.
Kim et al. (1999) observed that 10-day old seedlings
had more vigorous stem elongation and higher tillering
ability compared with 15- and 40-day old seedlings. It
was observed that the tiller production was higher among
30-day old seedlings transplanted in aman season than
others (Khatun 1995).
LAI increased with the increase in seedling age up
to four weeks and then reduced gradually (Das and
Mukherzee1989). Findings from research work of Hossain
and Haque (1988) revealed that the number of basal
tillers hill-1 increased among 30-day old than 60-day old
seedlings.
The age of seedling had a significant effect on number
of grains per panicle (Hariom et al. 1989). It was also
observed that the 40-day old seedlings gave higher number
of panicles than 20- or 60-day old seedlings (Rashid et
al. 1990). Number of panicles m-2, number of grain per
panicle, and 1,000-grain weight was the highest among
30-day old seedlings (Raju et al. 1989). The grain yield
increased with the age of seedlings at transplanting of up
to 35 days (Prasad et al. 1992).
Seedlings transplanted at 30, 40, 50, or 60 days after
sowing gave grain yields of 2063, 2.37 1.91, and 1.40 t
h-1, respectively (Bhagat et al. 1991). Grain yields from
transplanting 30, 40, 50, or 60 days old seedlings were
1.99, 2.14, 2.17, and 1.57 t h-1, respectively (Singh and
Singh 1992). Among the cultivation techniques, selection
of variety and optimum seedling age are important
components, and manipulation of which could lead to
optimized growth and yield. The main objective of the
research work was to find out optimum seedling age to
obtain maximum production of rice.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Experiment site
The experiment site is situated between Latitude
24­042/30//N and 24­042/15//N and between Longitude
90­026 /45 //E and 24­027 /E. It was at the premises of
Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The
elevation of the site is about 15 m. The experiment field
was a medium low land, fairly leveled with silty loam
texture soil having a pH value about 6.42. The general
soil type of the experimental site was non-calcareous
dark gray floodplain. During growth and ripening stage
the average air temperatures were 29.24°C and 22.19°C,
respectively. Relative humidity was higher (85.76%) at
220
Khusrul Amin and Aminul Haque: Performance of
Rice with Seedling Age
growth stage than at ripening stage (82.55%). The average
rainfall was 266.0 mm mo-1 during vegetative growth
stage but it was very low (05.25 mm mo-1) at maturity
stage. On the other hand, there was more sunshine (10 h
day-1) during maturity than during the time of vegetative
growth stage (07.41 h day-1).
Treatment
There were two set of treatments in the experiment,
viz. variety and seedling age. Four varieties including
Kalizira (V1), BRRI Dhan 38 (V2), BRRI Dhan 37 (V3),
and Tulshimala (V4) were selected for the experiment.
Among them, Kalizira (V1) and Tulshimala (V4) were
indigenous while BRRI Dhan 38 (V2) and BRRI Dhan
37 were high yielding varieties. These four varieties were
transplanted with four different seedling ages, i.e., 15 days
(D1), 25 days (D2), 35 days (D3), and 45 days (D4) in
the experimental plot. In this experiment, two indigenous,
viz.: Kalizira, Tulshimala, and two improved, viz.: BRRI
Dhan 38 and BRRI Dhan 37, popular fine rice varieties
were selected.
Experimental design and lay out
In the experiment, a randomized complete block
design was followed with three replications. Treatment
combinations were assigned at random within a block.
Separate randomization was carried out for other blocks.
Each plot size was 4.0 m x 2.5 m; total numbers of plots
were 48; and the individual plot and the block were
separated for irrigation and drainage by 0.5 m and 1.0 m
channel, respectively.
Land preparation and other activities
The experimental plot was well prepared for seedling
transplantation using modern technology. Fertilizers
were applied at the rate of 120, 100, 70, 60, and 10 kg
ha -1 of urea, triple super phosphate, muriate of potash,
gypsum, and zinc sulphate, respectively, at the time of land
preparation and different stages of plant growth. Seedlings
at 15, 25, 35, and 45 days old were transplanted in the well
puddled experimental plots maintaining proper spacing
(25 cm x 15 cm) and plant density. Different intercultural
operations were done properly. Harvest and post-harvest
operations were performed accordingly.
Data collection
Average plant height was recorded from 10 randomly
selected plants in each plot. The plant height was measured
from the base of the plant to the tip of the uppermost
spikelet of the panicle of the same plant. To get the total
tillers per hill, whole tillers were counted from each
sample and then average of 10 hills was taken. It included
Philippine Journal of Science Khusrul Amin and Aminul Haque: Performance of
Vol. 138 No. 2, December 2009 Rice with Seedling Age

both effective and non-effective tillers. In case of leaf
area index (LAI), ten leaves were collected randomly
and the area of each leaf blade was calculated using the
following formula:
Leaf area = K x L x W (i)
where: K = Adjustment factor (constant)
L = Length of leaf blade
W = Breath of leaf blade
The value of K was 0.75, which was used for all stages
of growth. Leaf area of each leaf was multiplied by the
leaf number hill-1 to obtain total leaf area hill-1. Finally
LAI was calculated with the formula (Radford 1967; Hunt
1978), as shown below:
LAI = LA / P (ii)
Where: LA = leaf area and P = ground area
The rice straw from the 10m2 sample area was calculated
and recorded. It was sun dried up to a constant weight.
Then the straw was weighed and the straw plot-1 on the
sun dry basis was determined. The yield of straw in kg
plot-1 was converted into t ha-1. To get the effective tillers
hill-1, only the ear bearing tillers were counted from each
sample and then the average of 10 hills was taken. Length
of panicle was measured from each panicle in cm from
the first node to the tip of panicle and then averaged. Ten
panicles were randomly selected from each harvested hill.
The total grains were counted and average was taken.
It included grains and sterile spikelets. Thousands of
grains were randomly selected from each plot and dried
in an oven up to 14% moisture content then weighed
in an electric balance. The yield of grain in kg plot-1
was adjusted to 14% moisture content and then it was
converted into t ha-1.
Statistical analysis
The collected data were statistically analyzed using
ANOVA technique with the help of computer package
program MSTAT. The significance of mean differences
was determined via DMRT (Gomez and Gomez 1984).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Effects of seedling age on variety in growth and
growth parameters
Growth parameters were influenced by variety and
seedling age, which are discussed in connection with
plant height, tiller production, LAI, and straw yield.
Effect of seedling age on varieties was significant only
at 60 DAT with regard to plant height at 1% level of
probability as shown in Table 1. At this level of DAT

Table 1. Effects of seedling age per variety to plant height at different days after transplanting (DATs).
Interaction Plant height (cm)
Variety x Seedling Age 15 DAT 30 DAT 45 DAT 60 DAT 75 DAT
Kalizira x 15 days(V1x D1) 38.95 51.9 68.29 91.40 g 144.29
Kalizira x 25 days(V1x D2) 39.5 53.8 70.5 93.20 f 145.75
Kalizira x 35 days(V1x D3) 40.98 55.8 72.2 95.60 adc 141.23
Kalizira x 45 days(V1x D4) 45.25 51.25 68.1 93.80 de 144.87
BRRI Dhan 38 x 15days (V2x D1) 33.25 48.2 65.1 91.50 g 100.28
BRRI Dhan 38 x 25days (V2x D2) 35.9 49.25 66.9 92.50 fg 102.1
BRRI Dhan 38 x 35days (V2x D3) 37.86 51.98 68.1 94.50 bcd 103.67
BRRI Dhan 38 x 45days (V2x D4) 40.2 48.1 67.1 92.10 fg 100.9
BRRI Dhan 37 x 15days (V3x D1) 34.5 48.5 65.5 92.50 fg 101.25
BRRI Dhan 37 x 25days (V3x D2) 36.1 50.29 68.1 94.65 cd 103.1
BRRI Dhan 37 x 35days (V3x D3) 37.8 52.2 66.16 96.27 a 104.2
BRRI Dhan 37 x 45days (V3x D4) 37.9 49.1 66.2 93.90 de 103.28
Tulshimala x 15days (V4x D1) 35.2 49.1 66.2 94.20 de 101.67
Tulshimala x 25days (V4x D2) 37.9 49.9 67.1 94.10 de 102.57
Tulshimala x 35days (V4x D3) 38.54 51.28 68.9 95.90 ab 103.2
Tulshimala x 45days (V4x D4) 39.1 47.9 67 93.20 ef 102.8
Level of Significance NS NS NS 0.01 NS
CV (%) 3.77 2.2 3.27 5.57 8.49
NS = Non-significant
Figures in a column with similar letter (s) do not differ significantly at 1% level of probability using DMRT.

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Vol. 138 No. 2, December 2009 Rice with Seedling Age

interaction, BRRI Dhan 37 with 35-day old seedling
produced the tallest plants (96.27 cm) that was statistically
identical with Kalizira and Tulshimala varieties that had
the same seedling age, though the highest plant height
(157.23) was also recorded from Kalizira with 35-day old
seedling at harvest (Table 4). The shorter plant of 91.40
cm was observed in Kalizira followed by BRRI Dhan
38 (92.10) and BRRI Dhan 37 (92.50) at 60 DAT with
15-das old seedling (Table 1). Among the various factors
that influence rice production, seedling age is important
because it has a tremendous effect on plant height, tiller
production, panicle length, grain formulation, grains
panicle-1, and other yield contributing characters (Ali et
al. 1995).
Seedling age affects varieties in tiller production at great
extent. In all DATs (30, 45, 60, and 75) BRRI Dhan 38 with
35-day old seedling (V­2D3) produced the highest number
of tillers (16.57, 17.90, 18.50, and 18.55 respectively) hill-
1
which was statistically similar to BRRI Dhan 37 with
35-day old seedling in the same DAT. But at 60 and 75
DATs, these were also statistically similar to BRRI Dhan
38 with 25-day old seedling (V­2D2). At harvest, V­2D3
also produced the highest number of tillers (18.70) hill-1
(Table 4) which showed no significant effects of varieties
and seedling ages in straw yield production. On the other
hand, Kalizira with 45-day old seedling (V1D4) produced
the lowest number of tillers, viz.: 7.25, 8.30, 8.70, 8.80
hill-1, at 30, 45, 60, and 75 DATs, respectively. However
35-day old seedling affects all varieties more, in terms
of tiller production hill-1 than those of other seedling age
(Table 2). Roy and Sattar (1992) observed more absolute
tillering rate in younger seedling and as the seedling age
increased, the tillering rate decreased. They also stated
that within a variety, the number of total tillers decreased
with older seedling.
The interaction of variety and seedling age was significant
on LAI at all DATs except 30 DAT (Table 3). Interaction of
V2D3 (BRRI Dhan 38 with 35-day old seedling) showed
the highest LAI in all DATs exclusive of 15 DAT. At 15
DAT, V2D4 (BRRI Dhan 38 with 45-day old seedling)
gave the highest LAI (0.53). In 30, 45, 60, and 75 DAT,
V1D1 (Kalizira with 15-day old seedling) gave the lowest
LAI. The combination of V1D1 at 15 DAT had the lowest
LAI (0.48). In case of 45 DAT, V1D1 produced the
lowest LAI, which was statistically at par with V3D1 and
V4D1. At 60 DAT V1D1 and V3D1 was the lowest and
statistically at par with V3D1 (Table 3). This result showed
that younger seedling (15-day old seedling) produced the
lowest LAI. Reddy et al. (1995) reported that genotypes
differed markedly in LAI and assimilation rate. The
combination of transplanting date on July 25, seedling
age of 35 days, and base seedling density of 1.33×106ha−1

Table 2. Effects of seedling age per variety on number of tiller hill-1 at different different days after transplanting (DATs).
Interaction Number of tiller hill-1
Variety x Seedling Age 15 DAT 30 DAT 45 DAT 60 DAT 75 DAT
Kalizira x 15 days(V1x D1) 7.1 8.10i 9.30f 9.40f 9.45ef
Kalizira x 25 days(V1x D2) 7.25 8.38i 9.50f 9.70f 9.78ef
Kalizira x 35 days(V1x D3) 8.17 9.50h 10.20f 9.50f 10.60e
Kalizira x 45 days(V1x D4) 6.8 7.25j 8.30g 8.70f 8.80f
BRRI Dhan 38 x 15days (V2x D1) 13.1 14.50c 15.75bc 16.10bc 16.20bc
BRRI Dhan 38 x 25days (V2x D2) 13.9 15.20bc 16.20ec 18.00a 18.10a
BRRI Dhan 38 x 35days (V2x D3) 15.1 16.57a 17.90a 18.50a 18.55a
BRRI Dhan 38 x 45days (V2x D4) 11.1 11.90fg 12.10e 12.70e 12.78d
BRRI Dhan 37 x 15days (V3x D1 ) 13 12.38ef 15.30bcd 15.30bcd 15.37bc
BRRI Dhan 37 x 25days (V3x D2) 13.28 13.65d 15.75c 16.10bc 16.12bc
BRRI Dhan 37 x 35days (V3x D3) 14.12 15.90ab 17.10ab 17.90a 17.95a
BRRI Dhan 37 x 45days (V3x D4) 11.2 10.25h 12.20e 13.10e 13.18d
Tulshimala x 15days (V4x D1) 12.2 12.80de 13.90d 14.65d 14.70c
Tulshimala x 25days (V4x D2) 12.5 13.20de 14.10d 15.10cd 15.20bc
Tulshimala x 35days (V4x D3) 13.38 14.80c 15.75c 16.35b 16.40b
Tulshimala x 45days (V4x D4) 10.88 11.30g 11.80e 12.10e 12.36d
Level of Significance NS 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
CV (%) 5.97 4.04 4.23 4.48 5.9
NS = Non-significant
Figures in a column with similar letter (s) do not differ significantly at 1% level of probability using DMRT.

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Vol. 138 No. 2, December 2009 Rice with Seedling Age

Table 3. Effects of seedling age per variety on LAI at different days after transplanting (DATs).
Interaction Leaf Area Index (LAI)
Variety x Seedling Age 15 DAT 30 DAT 45DAT 60DAT 75 DAT
Kalizira x 15 days (V­1x D1) 0.48 j 0.7 1.50 h 3.10 k 3.20 j
Kalizira x 25 days (V­1x D2) 0.43 g 0.83 1.90 fg 3.60 h 3.70 g
Kalizira x 35 days (V­1x D3) 0.45 f 0.87 2.20 de 3.90 e 4.00 e
Kalizira x 45 days (V­1x D4) 0.49 d 0.9 1.85 fg 3.20 j 3.35 i
BRRIDhan38 x 15 days(V2xD1) 0.38 k 0.65 1.80 fg 3.60 h 3.80 f
BRRIDhan38 x 25 days(V2xD2) 0.42 h 0.85 2.60 b 4.00 d 4.20 d
BRRIDhan38 x 35 days(V2xD3) 0.50 c 0.95 3.10 a 4.80 a 5.00 a
BRRIDhan37 x 45 days(V2xD4) 0.53 a 0.97 2.68 b 3.50 i 3.60 h
BRRIDhan37 x 15 days(V3xD1) 0.40 j 0.7 1.70 gh 3.10 k 3.20 j
BRRIDhan37 x 25 days(V3xD2) 0.41 i 0.83 2.20 de 3.90 e 4.00 e
BRRIDhan37 x 35 days(V3xD3) 0.49 d 0.9 2.50 bc 3.50 b 4.60 b
BRRIDhan37 x 45 days(V3xD4) 0.51 b 0.95 2.05 ef 4.00 d 4.15 d
Tulshimala x 15 days (V4x D1) 0.41 i 0.71 1.65 gh 3.20 j 3.35 i
Tulshimala x 25 days (V4x D2) 0.42 h 0.85 2.00 ef 3.70 g 3.78 f
Tulshimala x 35 days (V4x D3) 0.47 e 0.88 2.35 cd 4.30 c 4.50 c
Tulshimala x 45 days (V4x D4) 0.50 c 0.92 1.90 fg 3.80 f 3.95 e
Level of Significance 0.01 NS 0.01 0.01 0.01
CV (%) 2.27 6.25 6.69 4.64 6.87
NS = Non-significant
Figures in a column with similar letter (s) do not differ significantly at 1% level of probability using DMRT.

Table 4. Effects of seedling age per variety on plant height, number of tiller hill-1 and straw yield at harvest.
Interaction
Plant height (cm) Total tiller hill-1 (no.) Straw yield (t ha-1)
Variety x Age of seedling
Kalizira x15 days (V1 x D1) 150.50 cd 9.10 h 5.88
Kalizira x25 days (V1 x D2) 154.87 ab 9.30 h 6.15
Kalizira x35 days (V1 x D3) 157.23 a 10.20 g 6.33
Kalizira x45 days (V1 x D4) 151.94 bc 8.20 i 6.6
BRRI Dhan38 x 15 days (V2 x D1) 114.15 e-h 15.50 c 5.8
BRRI Dhan38 x 25 days (V2 x D2) 112.20 h 17.00 b 5.77
BRRI Dhan38 x 35 days (V2 x D3) 114.67 e-h 18.70 a 5.42
BRRI Dhan38 x 45 days (V2 x D4) 113.80 gh 12.00 f 5.79
BRRI Dhan37 x 15 days (V3 x D1) 113.20 gh 14.50 d 5.88
BRRI Dhan37 x 25 days (V3 x D2) 115.92 fg 15.30 c 5.91
BRRI Dhan37 x 35 days (V3 x D3) 117.45 f 17.10 b 5.93
BRRI Dhan37 x 45 days (V3 x D4) 116.28 fg 12.70 e 5.87
Tulshimala x 15 days (V4 x D1) 145.85 e 14.00d 5.69
Tulshimala x 25 days (V4 x D2) 148.30 de 14.20 d 6.04
Tulshimala x 35 days (V4 x D3) 151.29 cd 15.50 c 6.09
Tulshimala x 45 days (V4 x D4) 152.92 bc 11.60 f 6.17
Level of Significance 0.01 0.01 NS
CV (%) 5.37 3.09 4.85
NS = Non-significant
Figures in a column with similar letter (s) do not differ significantly at 1% level of probability using DMRT.

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Vol. 138 No. 2, December 2009 Rice with Seedling Age

was the optimum combination for the second hybrid rice
production in Jinhua County, China. The maximum stems,
the effective panicles, the filled grain per panicle, the peak
of optimum LAI, LAI in later filling stage, and the filled
grain number/leaf were 6.03×106ha, 3.99×106ha, 119.2,
8.59, 5–6, and 0.64, respectively (Yan et al. 2006). Thus
it was observed that growth parameters were better in
35-day old seedling.
Effects of seedling age on variety in yield and yield
contributing characters
In case of effective tiller production, BRRI Dhan38
with 35-day old seedlings (V­2D3) produced the highest
number of effective tiller hill-1 (16.10) than all other
treatment combinations. The lowest number of effective
tiller hill-1 (6.75) was obtained from Kalizira with 45-day
old seedling (V1D4). There is an evidence supporting this
statement such as BINA (1993) who reported that varieties
or advanced lines differed significantly in the number of
effective tillers hill-1. Aragones and Wada (1989) found
that physiological limitation of aged seedlings produced
limited effective tiller hill-1. There was a significant effect
of interaction of varieties and seedling ages on panicle
length. The longest panicle (25.18 cm) was obtained from
BRRI Dhan 38 with 35-day old seedling and the shortest
(17.58 cm) panicle was recorded from Tulshimala with
45-day old seedling (Table 5). Alam et al. (2002) found
that 35-day old seedlings gave better performance than
28- or 21-day old seedlings in transplanted aman season
in the climatic condition of the study area, as number of
tillers hill-1, number of effective tillers hill-1, grain, straw,
and biological yield were better with 35-day old seedlings.
The result revealed that older seedling (45-day old) have
tendency to produce lower number of effective tiller hill-1
and panicle length than the others.
It was evident from the result that BRRI Dhan 38 with 35-
day old seedling (V2D3) produced the highest number of
total spikelets panicle-1 (190.30) among other combinations.
Hossain et al. (1991) reported that the number of spikelets
panicle-1 was influenced by variety. As shown in Table 5,
the lowest spikelet number panicle-1 (130.25) was recorded
from Kalizira with 45-day old seedling (V1D4). This result
partially supports the findings of Tsai and Lai (1987) who
reported that younger seedlings produced more spikelets
panicle-1 than other seedling. The highest grain yield (4.30
t ha-1) was obtained from BRRI Dhan 38 with 35-day old
seedling. The lowest grain yield (2.90 t ha-1) was obtained
from Kalizira with 45-day old seedling (Table 5). This
result was in agreement with that of Ahmed (1987) and
Alam (1988) who found that a variety could give high yield
even with the finer grain size if there would be genetic
potentiality. Channabasappa et al. (1997) also reported that
35-day old seedlings gave significantly the highest grain
yield than 25- or 45-day old seedlings.

Table 5. Effects of interaction on yield and yield contributing characters at harvest.

Interaction Effective tiller Panicle Spikelet Grains 1000-grain Grain yield
Variety x Age of seedling hill-1 (no.) length (cm) panicle-1 (no.) panicle-1 (no.) weight (g) (t h-1)
Kalizira x 15 days (V1xD1) 8.80 j 21.50 f 160.43 g 142.58 12.83 3.10 i
Kalizira x 25 days (V1xD2) 9.10j 22.30 de 170.75 f 150.39 13.1 3.40 f
Kalizira x 35 days (V1xD3) 9.50 i 22.80 c-e 175.38 e 156.65 12.9 3.60 d
Kalizira x 45 days (V1xD4) 6.75 k 20.00 g 130.25 j 110.75 12.85 2.90 k
BRRI Dhan38 x 15 days (V2xD1) 14.50 d 23.15 c 178.90c-e 155.58 16.9 3.60 d
BRRI Dhan38 x 25 days (V2xD2) 15.20 bc 24.20 b 184.28 b 163.71 17.1 4.00 b
BRRI Dhan38 x 35 days (V2xD3) 16.10 a 25.18 a 190.30 a 171.52 17.16 4.30 a
BRRI Dhan38 x 45 days (V2xD4) 10.10 h 19.58 g 156.30 gh 135.21 15.99 3.30 g
BRRI Dhan37 x 15 days (V3xD1) 13.50 f 22.15 ef 175.68 de 155.68 15.25 3.35 fg
BRRI Dhan37 x 25 days (V3xD2) 15.00 c 23.10 cd 180.28 bd 162.35 15.75 3.70 c
BRRI Dhan37 x 35 days (V3xD3) 15.50 b 24.21 b 182.19 bc 168.19 15.9 4.00 b
BRRI Dhan37 x 45 days (V3xD4) 10.90 g 20.30 g 155.31 h 133.9 14.58 3.20 h
Tulshimala x 15 days (V4xD1) 13.80 ef 19.60 g 170.58 f 152.16 14.5 3.20 h
Tulshimala x 25 days (V4xD2) 14.00 e 22.75 c-e 175.90 de 157.69 14.1 3.50 e
Tulshimala x 35 days (V4xD3) 15.00 c 23.10 cd 183.38 bc 158.28 14.8 3.70 c
Tulshimala x 45 days (V4xD4) 10.10 h 17.58 h 150.28 i 120.98 13.8 3.00 j
Level of significance 0.01 00.01 000.01 NS NS 0.01
CV (%) 1.51 01.99 001.5 3.57 3.33 1.5
NS = Non-significant
Figures in a column with similar letter (s) do not differ significantly at 1% level of probability using DMRT.

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Philippine Journal of Science
Vol. 138 No. 2, December 2009
Considering the overall performance (growth, yield,
and yield contributing characters) of all varieties with
different seedling age used in the experiment, it may be
concluded that 35-day old seedling was better than those
of relatively younger (15- and 25-day old) and older (45-
day old) seedlings.
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