Evaluation on Rice Quality and Amylose Content of Lowland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) treated with Paclobutrazol

Abstract

Application of paclobutrazol in rice to reduce plant height is an adaptation strategy to climate change to reduce logging during the incident. Nevertheless, the effect of paclobutrazol application on rice quality is rarely evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate rice quality of four varieties after paclobutrazol application. The research was carried out from February to July 2021 in Sawah Baru Experimental Station IPB, Bogor. Four varieties namely IPB 3S, Inpari 42, Hipa 18, and Tarabas were treated with paclobutrazol (K1 = 0 ppm, K2 = 150 ppm, K3 = 300 ppm, K4 = 450 ppm, K5 = 600 ppm), which was applied through the leaves at booting stage before the flowering. The results showed that paclobutrazol treatment affected the quality of rice, especially the percentage of brown rice, milled rice, head rice, rice shape, and amylose content. Varieties showed different responses to paclobutrazol treatment. The concentration of 150 ppm started to affect the quality of rice, i.e., increasing brown rice in all varieties, milled rice in IPB 3S and Inpari 42, and head rice and amylose content in IPB 3S and Hipa 18; but reduced head rice on the Tarabas and amylose content on Inpari 42. Further research on paclobutrazol residues in rice is needed to ensure food safety.

Keywords: climate change, extreme weather, milling rice, head rice, rice variety