Evaluation of two rice varieties (CK73 and CK90) on iron toxicity and some biotic stress in Yamoussoukro (Ivory Coast) ABSTRACT Objective: The iron toxicity is a nutrient disorder associated with high iron concentrations may be lead to a significant impact on rice yield. The objective of this study is to evaluate the behaviors of two rice varieties CK73 and CK90 on iron toxicity and some biotic stress in irrigated lowlands on the perimeter of Petit Bouaké at Yamoussoukro in Ivory Coast. Methodology and results: A randomized complete block design with three replications was implemented in order to compare CK73 and CK90 introduced varieties with WITA9 as control which was already known. Iron toxicity, blast disease and leaf blight scores were recorded. The mean of iron toxicity visual score of tested varieties are 3.5, 3.9, 4.2 for CK90, WITA9 and CK73 respectively. Average yield of paddy for tested varieties are 2.7 T/ha, 2.2 T/ha, 4.5 T/ha for CK73, CK90 and WITA 9 respectively. The tolerance of varieties to blast disease was good with mean scores of 1.6; 1; 1 for CK73, CK90 and WITA9 respectively. Furthermore, the mean of leaf blight visual score of varieties are 5.4; 3.2; 2.6 for CK 73, CK90 and WITA9 respectively.
Conclusion and applications:The evaluation of two rice varieties (CK73 and CK90) in order to disseminate in Ivory Coast was able to confirm their tolerance on iron toxicity in the site of Yamoussoukro. Furthermore, WITA9 which was already disseminated showing a moderate level of tolerance. Paddy yields of the two new varieties are acceptable against the specification sheets (3-4 T/ha).