Influence of daily temperature range on seedling emergence and establishment and estimation of early sowing limits in directly seeded rice under submerged conditions in a cold- climate area (Hokuriku Region, Japan)

Abstract

Although direct seeding in rice cultivation has potential for labor- and cost-saving benefits in comparison with transplanting, the latter remains the predominant method in Japan because the former shows some weaknesses in seedling emergence and establishment, and in lodging resistance. We therefore set out to compare seedling emergence and establishment in direct seeding culture under different daily temperature ranges. We compared a windbreak-shielded and control plot using pot-grown plants under outdoor conditions. In the windbreak plot, which was subject to a high maximum temperature and wide daily temperature range, seedling emergence and establishment rates were higher than in the control plot.