Foliar application of TNAU rice reap for high temperature stress in rice

Temperature above 33^ᵒC has led to the production decrement of rice. The temperature optimum shifts to relatively lower temperatures as rice grows. Spikelet sterility is greatly increased at temperatures higher than 35⁰C which is the critical maximum temperature in rice. With the growing impact of climate change, optimizing rice cultivation environments has become a critical strategy to ensure stable and increased yields. As a boon to the rice farmers of Tamil Nadu, a crop booster was developed by Department of Crop Physiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University named TNAU Rice Reap to improve the spikelet fertility under high temperature stress. This booster reported to Improve the spikelet fertility and grain filling percentage. Further it Improves tolerance against drought and high temperature stress and Increases grain yield up to 15%. Dose is 2 kg / acre, Spray Volume is 200 litres/acre, Stages of spray are at Booting stage (2 kg/acre) and 10 days after first spray (2 kg/acre). Average Yield obtained was 5093 kg/ha in control that is non applied plot and 5580 kg/ha in TNAU rice Reap applied treatment plots. Yield improvement was 487 kg/ha and has recorded 9.5% increase over control. Gross return and Net return (Rs. 1,28,340 and Rs.56,920)was higher with TNAU Rice Reap applied plots over control however the benefit cost ratio was same as the application cost and cost of rice reap was higher than the additional yield and returns obtained. This can be promoted on a large scale for surpassing the high temperature stress in rice.