Varietal Difference in Growth, Yield and Grain Quality of Rice Grown at Different Altitudinal Locations

Growth and quality of rice are affected by various factors including the location of cultivation. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of altitudinal locations on the growth and yield-related components of rice. Nineteen Japonica type varieties were grown at Iksan (altitude, 10 m), Imsil (altitude, 150 m), Jinan (altitude, 275 m) and Jangsu (altitude, 430 m) at a similar latitude in Jeonbuk province in the south western Korea. Minimum air temperature showed a strong negative correlation with altitude. The morphological traits and yield-and quality-related components were analyzed. Longer days to heading was required at higher altitudes. However, culm length, panicle length, panicle number, grain number and rice yield were reduced at higher altitudes. Protein content of brown rice increased but fatty acid content decreased at higher altitudes. Amylose content was affected by neither the altitude nor the ecotype. Palatability of polished rice tends to be improved at higher altitudes and in early-maturing ecotypes but its relationships with altitude and ecotype were not significant. Head rice ratio was lower at higher altitudes but broken rice ratio vise versa. These results indicate that growth and quality of rice are affected significantly by changes in temperatures at the locations of different altitude. Also, the characters related to yield and quality of rice often respond incompatibly to the changes in altitudes. These results could provide valuable information for the strategic planning of rice production in geographically diverse areas.