Genetic Attributes and Varietal Profile
Arize 6444 is a premier hybrid rice variety developed through advanced heterosis breeding to deliver high photosynthetic efficiency and strong tillering performance.
Arize 6444 Gold integrates genetic resistance against Bacterial Leaf Blight (*Xanthomonas oryzae* pv. *oryzae*), mitigating major yield losses in endemic, humid rice-growing belts across India.
- Breeding source: Bayer CropScience Arize hybrid rice portfolio
- Crop maturity duration: Medium duration (typically 130 to 135 days from seed to harvest)
- Plant stature: Semi-dwarf with sturdy, lodging-resistant culms
- Disease resistance: Enhanced tolerance to Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) in Gold variants
Nursery Management and Seed Rate Guidelines
Because hybrid paddy produces vigorous tillers, it requires a substantially lower seed rate compared to traditional inbred varieties. Sow 12 to 15 kilograms of certified hybrid seed per hectare in a raised nursery bed.
Transplant single healthy seedlings per hill at 21 to 25 days of age with calibrated spacing (such as 20 cm by 15 cm) to facilitate maximum productive tiller development and light penetration.
- Seed rate: 12 to 15 kg per hectare (approximately 5 to 6 kg per acre)
- Nursery duration: 21 to 25 days before field transplanting
- Seedling density: Transplant 1 to 2 vigorous seedlings per hill
- Spacing: 20 cm row-to-row by 15 cm plant-to-plant for optimum canopy ventilation
Nutrient and Water Management for High Heterosis
Maximizing hybrid yield potential demands split fertilizer applications aligned with key growth stages: basal, active tillering, and panicle initiation.
Apply nitrogen in 3 to 4 split doses rather than heavy basal loading to prevent excessive vegetative elongation and reduce pest susceptibility during humid monsoon flushes.
- Basal fertilization: Full phosphorus and potash doses combined with a third of total nitrogen
- Top dressing: Apply remaining nitrogen in splits at maximum tillering and panicle initiation
- Zinc nutrition: Apply zinc sulphate basally to prevent khaira physiological disorder
- Water regime: Maintain shallow standing water (2-3 cm) during vegetative tillering, draining before harvest
Official source
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Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
Can seeds harvested from an Arize 6444 crop be saved and sown next season?
No, F1 hybrid paddy seeds segregate genetically in subsequent generations, leading to significant yield loss, uneven plant heights, and variable maturity. Fresh certified hybrid seed must be purchased each season.
What is the recommended seed rate for Arize 6444 per acre?
The recommended seed rate is 5 to 6 kilograms per acre, as hybrid seedlings produce vigorous tillering that fills out the canopy.
How does Arize 6444 Gold resist Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB)?
Arize 6444 Gold incorporates bred genetic resistance traits that restrict the colonization and internal spread of *Xanthomonas oryzae* bacteria in leaf tissues.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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