Growth Response of Lowland Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Variety as Influenced by Sowing Method and Fertilizer Management in Nigeria Savanna

Abstract

Field trials were conducted at the Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru, and Irrigation Research Station, Kadawa in the northern Guinea and Sudan Savanna ecological zones of Nigeria respectively, during the 2021 wet season. Treatments consisted of three lowland rice varieties (FARO 44, FARO 52, and FARO 57), three sowing methods (dibbling, drilling and broadcasting) and four rates of NPK and Agric-Zyme 3X organic liquid fertilizers (0:0:0 kg NPKha^-1 + 3.0 Lha^-1, 60:30:30 kg NPKha^-1+1.5 Lha^-1, 60:30:30 kg NPKha^-1 + 3.0 Lha^-1 and 120:60:60 kg NPKha^-1 + 0 Lha^-1). The trials were replicated three times, in a factorial arrangement using a split-plot arrangement. Fertilizer rates and sowing methods were in the main plots and rice variety as subplot. FARO 44 recorded taller plants height and took longer days for effective grain filling periods and FARO 57 took a longer day to 50% flowering. The effect of sowing methods was generally not significant on rice, however, broadcasting recorded taller plant heights and higher leaf area index, while dibbling recorded higher paddy yield. Application of 120: 60: 60 NPK kg ha^-1 outperformed other fertilizer management methods followed by 60: 30: 30 NPK kg ha^-1 + 3 L ha^-1 Agric-Zyme 3X in all parameters. In conclusion, FARO 57 variety outperformed other varieties used in the study, Drilling method and application of 60: 30: 30 NPK kg ha^-1 were better for growth, yield and grain quality of lowland rice in the study areas.