Physicochemical,milling and cooking quality of rice as affected by sowing and transplanting dates

The physicochemical, milling and cooking characteristics of three commercial varieties of paddy viz. Jaya, PR 106 and Pb. Basmati no. 1 as affected by different dates of sowing nursery and transplanting, were investigated. Grain yield was adversely affected with late sowing and transplanting dates. Significant differences were recorded on the yield of head rice and brokens in the three varieties grown under different sowing and transplanting dates. The effect of normal and late dates of sowing on 1000-kernel weight and grain dimensions was significant for both paddy and milled rice. Protein content of rice was not affected by sowing dates but late transplantings resulted in higher values. Free fatty acids in rice and bran were significantly increased with late sowing and transplanting dates, however, the amylose content decreased under these situations. Late transplanting dates decreased the minimum cooking time but increased the solid losses in gruel. The late transplantings deteriorated the organoleptic properties of cooked rice and had higher values for clearing and spreading.