The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of sowing dates on the eating quality of indica hybrid rice in sub-suitable area of ratoon rice, so as to provide the theoretical and practical basis for the adjustment of planting structure and high quality cultivation in sub-suitable area of ratoon rice.

Field sowing dates experiments were conducted in the two sub-suitable area of ratoon rice in Sichuan (Longchang and Qianwei) with three indica hybrid rice varieties, namely Chuanyou 6203, Yixiangyou 2115, and Fyou 498. The effects of sowing dates on eating quality of indica hybrid rice in sub-suitable area of ratoon rice were studied by the determination of amylose and protein content, and the analysis of rice aroma, appearance, palatability, flavor, cold rice texture, as well as comprehensive score following the national standard sensory evaluation method.

(1) The eating quality of indica hybrid rice was affected by location, sowing date, variety, and their interactions. (2) The effects of sowing dates on the eating quality of different rice varieties were different to the study locations in the sub-suitable area of ratoon rice. The amylose content, protein content, palatability, taste, and flavor in the two study years, as well as the palatability and comprehensive score in 2018 in Longchang were significantly lower than that in Qianwei. Compared wtih the conventional sowing date, suitably delayed sowing date could improve the amylose content, palatability, and taste of rice by decreasing the temperature stress during grain filling stage, which resulted in the increase in comprehensive score of rice. This made the taste quality of rice closer to that of the ratoon rice. (3) Correlation analysis showed that amylose content, palatability, and flavor had significantly or extremely significantly negative correlation with the average daily maximum, minimum, and average temperatures, and sunshine hours from the 20 days after heading to mature stage, while comprehensive score was significantly and negatively related to the average daily minimum temperature from the 20 days after heading to mature stage. (4) The GGE-bioplot double plot analysis showed that the third sowing date in Longchang and second and third sowing dates in Qianwei had higher score and better stability of comprehensive score.

On the basis of ensuring the yield of rice, Longchang ecological point was sowed at the third sowing date (early May), and Qianwei ecological point was sowed at the second sowing date (March 20-March 25), which could avoid high temperature stress during the grain filling period of rice and improve the eating quality of hybrid indica rice. Furthermore, the selection of high-quality eating varieties as Yixiangyou 2115 and Chuanyou 6203 with suitable delaying of sowing date possessed higher taste quality in the sub-suitable area of ratoon rice.