Performance of Upland Rice Crop Depending on Plant Spacing and Nitrogen Levels

The aim of the present study was to determine the dose of Nitrogen and plant spacing of BRSMG Caravera, a modern rice cultivar, in order to maximize grain yield and increase rice production in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The following characteristics were evaluated: grain yield (GY), percentage of filled grains (% F), 100 grains weight (100 GW) and plant height (H). It was used a 4 × 4 factorial design, with four row spacings (20, 30, 40 and 50 cm) and four nitrogen rates (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1) totaling 16 treatments. The phenotypes were analyzed through the Scott-Knott mean test together with an analysis for significant interactions to identify the spacing and the N rates associated with the best trait averages. Differences in plant spacing were associated with significant differences in GY, % F and H, whereas different N rates were associated with significant differences of GY and H. When considering the interaction between plant spacing and N rates, significant differences could be identified for all traits, indicating that these factors should be considered together. The highest grain yield was achieved with spacing of 20 cm and N rate of 120 kg ha-1. The use of modern cultivars, the adequate spacing and N dose can significantly increase grain yield and competitiveness of upland rice cultivation, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.