Assessing the Adaptability of Various Rice (Oryza sativa) Varieties in Multi-canopy Cultivation System

Abstract

Food security remains a paramount concern in agricultural development, with national rice productivity stagnating and harvested areas on a decline. Among the factors influencing this trend is the choice of planting system. One potential remedy is the adoption of multi-canopy systems, which integrate various rice genotypes to form tiered panicles and flag leaves. This research aims to juxtapose the agronomic performance of mono-variety systems with that of multi-canopy systems, determine the optimal pairing of short-stemmed varieties (Inpari 3, Inpari 32, IPB 3S) with the tall-stemmed variety (Batang Piaman), and assess different multi-canopy intercrop configurations. Findings indicate that while the IPB 3S variety thrives in mono-variety setups, its productivity fails to see significant improvements in single-intercrop multi-canopy systems and even diminishes in double-intercrop setups. The versatility of IPB 3S within multi-canopy systems, especially in conjunction with Batang Piaman varieties, underscores its prowess in generating competitive tiller counts. In sum, genetic determinants predominantly influence plant responses, while the quality of the harvest, including metrics like the prevalence of empty grains, underscores the intricate interplay between primary and intercrop varieties within multi-canopy frameworks.