The Korean Journal of Crop ScienceISSN:0252-9777(Print) 2287-8432(Online)한국작물학회

Low-density transplanting is a cultivation technology that reduces labor and production costs. In this study, the growth and yield of several varieties with different tillering characteristics were analyzed in order to establish an appropriate planting density for low-density transplanting. Varieties with Low-Tillering (LT), Medium-Tillering (MT), and High-Tillering (HT) were planted at a density of 37–80 hills/3.3 m². As the planting density decreased, the number of tillers per hill increased, but the number of tillers per square meter of hill decreased, especially for the LT variety. Decreasing density extended the tillering stage, which was longest in the LT variety. As the planting density decreased, SPAD(Soil plant analysis development, chlorophyll meter) values just before heading increased while canopy light interception decreased. Such changes were much greater in the LT variety than in the MT and HT varieties. The heading date tended to be delayed by 0–2 days as the planting density decreased, and there was no difference in the length of the period from first heading to full heading. As the number of spikelets per panicle increased, the number of spikelets per square meter did not differ according to the planting density. Decreasing planting density did not affect the grain weight; nevertheless, the yield ultimately decreased because of the decreasing ripening rate. The optimal planting density for stable low-density transplanting cultivation was determined to be over 50 hills/3.3 m2. In addition, these results suggest that LT varieties should be avoided, since these showed large decreases in growth and yield with decreasing planting density.