Evaluating the yield potential of rice varieties through harvest index estimation in Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh

The research was conducted in the Bilha block of Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh, in 2024 with the aim of identifying the high-yielding rice variety through the harvest index in the selected study area. The harvest index represents the actual economic and biological productivity of the rice crop and is expressed as a percentage. We used square iron quadrants (1 m × 1 m) to measure the economic and biological data from rice fields per unit area. One square meter of the crop was harvested, and the by-products such as grain and straw were processed and weighed. The data were then converted to a per-hectare basis. We measured the harvest index of six rice varieties and found that the Sona Masoori and Swarna Red rice varieties showed a higher harvest index in the research area. Economic yields were higher in Sona Masuri, 1010, and Vishnu Bhog rice varieties. We concluded that farmers should adopt rice varieties that have a higher harvest index and grain yield. It is suggested that the government provides training on effective farm management practices to farmers so they can become better rice producers.