Effects of Stubble Height, Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilization on Rice Ratooning in Korea

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) ratooning is the production of a second rice crop from the stubble left behind after the main crop harvest. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of main-crop stubble height, irrigation and fertilization on ratoon grain yield. Main crop 'Jinbuol' rice cultivar was harvested to leave with 10, 20, 30, or 40 cm stubble height. When the main crop stubble was harvested with 10 cm height, ratoon rice grain yield was increased by 2,810 kg/ha. Irrigation on stubbles after main crop harvest did not affect the ratoon crop yield and rice quality. The results showed a large variation in the ratoon performance by fertilizer application methods. Top-dressed nitrogen fertilizer on the stubble after harvest caused increase in panicle production and higher maturity rate. However, there was no significant difference in protein content, amylose content of milled rice and cooked rice characters between plots managed with and without nitrogen fertilizer.