Effects of pre-anthesis drought stress on yield components and seed quality of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Sufficient supply of high quality planting materials is vital for a successful rice production. Pre-anthesis drought stress significantly reduces yield components of the lowland cultivated rice hence scientific information on its effect on seed quality is still very much lacking. This study was conducted to compare the effects of pre-anthesis drought stress on yield components and seed quality of two rice genotypes, a drought tolerant Moroberekan (V1), and local drought susceptible MR297 (V2). Three durations of drought stress used in this study were well-watered condition (S1), five days stress duration (S2), and ten days stress duration (S3). Complete (100%) spikelet sterility was observed for MR297 as compared with Moroberekan (31%) under S3. The seed germination rate of Moroberekan was significantly lower (p