Analysis of Lodging-Related Traits of Direct Seeded Rice

The objective of this study was to analyze lodging-related traits using different cultivars from Korea, Japan, and the U.S. in direct seeded rice on dry paddy field. Stem diameter and culm wall thickness were highest in 'Caloro' followed by 'Nongan', 'M202', and 'Calrose'. All the U.S. cultivars were higher than the others in stem diameter and culm wall thickness. These two traits were important with regard to lodging. The highest breaking strength (1442g) was observed in Caloro. 'Gancheoek', 'Dongjin', and transplanted 'Hatsuboshi' showed more than 1000g in breaking strength. Lodging index was lowest in Hatsuboshi followed by Nongan and Gancheok. Even though breaking strength of the U.S. cultivars was higher than others, their lodging index values were high. There were no statistically significant differences in starch content. However, Calrose, Caloro, Dongjin, and Koshihikari were relatively higher than others in starch content. Positive correlations were found between culm base weight, lignin and breaking strength. High contents of lignin and cellulose were observed in Nongan, transplanted Hatsuboshi, Calrose, and Caloro. Traits such as stem diameter, culm wall thickness, bending moment, culm length, breaking strength, cellulose, lignin, and culm base weight were closely related to a lodging index. According to path coefficient analysis, most important traits were culm length, stem diameter, thickness of clum wall, and top plant weight.