Harvesting time is one of most important factors which influence rice seed characteristics for the purpose of planting or milling. With the objective to determine the proper period of harvesting of irrigated rice (Oryza sativa L.) the seeds of BRS 7 TAIM cultivar were harvested at at 15, 22, 29, 36, 43 and 50 days after flowering, dryed, processed for cleaning purpose and evaluated in relation to moisture, productivity, dry weight of 100 seeds, undamaged rice yield, viability and storability. Seeds harvested at 15 and 22 days after flowering showed low performance exhibiting deficiency in all variables studied, besides high initial humidity. Seeds harvested at 29 days showed hight quality, but yield was lower than those of later periods. Those obtained from harvest at 50 days showed good performance, with exception for undamaged rice yield. The best harvesting period considering TAIM cultivar is between 38 an 42 days after flowering, when seeds present high rates of quality, yield, dry weight, undamaged rice yield, physiological quality and storability.
Oryza sativa; physiological quality; moisture; Roraima
