Proportion of milky grains as an indicator of optimum stage for harvesting rice.

The sUitability of some parameters for Identifying: the optimum harvesting stage for
retaining best mming quality was examined by harvesting rice (Oryza sativa L.) at 5 different
stages of maturity, when the average grain moisture varied from 30 10 17%in 8 pure-bred
varieties. The shelling breakage was minimum wben the grain moisture was 20-23%.
The percentage of sun-checked grains was fairly low at this range but showed high varietal
variation. There was a steep increase in sun-checking below this moisture level.
The proportion of green grains and soft milky grains decreased steeply a little
before optimum maturity. When the grain moisture was 20-23%, the proportion of green
grains was 2-7 ~"~ and that of milky grains 0-1 ~{ The proportion of milky grains can be a
simple, easily identifiable and measurable parameter for deciding the optimum stage of
harvesting rice.