Growth Pattern and Yield of NERICA 1 and NERICA 4 Rice Varieties as a Function of Split Nitrogen Application at Tsukuba, East Japan

Abstract

The study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of split application of nitrogen on growth and yield of NERICA 1 and NERICA 4 rice varieties at Tsukuba International Center, Japan from April to September 2013 cropping season. The varieties were investigated for establishment, plant height, tiller number, SPAD value, shoot dry matter, panicle dry matter, nitrogen uptake, panicle number, spikelet number, panicle length, ripening ratio, thousand grain weight, harvest index and paddy yield. The result showed that NERICA 1 had significantly greater establishment percentage, shoot dry matter, panicle length and thousand grain weight than NERICA 4, but its leaves were significantly (p<0.05) less green than the latter after 55 days of sowing. Dividing 80kg N ha -1 into two and applying half rate at sowing as basal and top dressing at panicle initiation gave significantly more green leaves than either at once application of full rate or half rate as basal and half rate top dressing at heading applications from 90-115 days after sowing. However, application of half rate of 80kg N ha -1 at sowing and heading time produced significantly (p<0.05) more green leaves than at once and half as basal and at panicle initiation after 115 days of sowing. It also produced significantly longer panicles than the other two modes of N applications. In all of the evaluated parameters, varieties and split nitrogen applications failed to show significant (p>0.05) interaction. Splitting 80kg N ha -1 in to two and applying half of it at sowing and the remaining half at panicle initiation as well as applying half of it at sowing and the remaining half at heading time increase panicle length compared to applying full rate at once during sowing.

Evaluation of the Effects of Different Sowing and Weed Control Methods on the Physiological Performance of NERICA 4 Rice Variety in Upland Ecology of Japan

“…Similar results were however, reported by Krishnaprabu [7] for rice planted with another method but managed with same weed regimen. Meanwhile, despite the variation in yield and yield components occasioned by treatment conditions in this trial, the yield of NERICA 4 across all treatments generally falls within ranges previously reported by Workneh et al [6] and Tsedalu et al [10] for the variety in the same location in Japan. The highest yield obtained in the drilling treatment in this experiment is somewhat in contravention of its potential in economic profitability wherein drilling with just one hand weeding returned highest profitability following economic analysis of production.…”

“…Thinning was subsequently done to adjust to 3 plant/stand. Equal seed rate of 36g/plot (3 kg 1000/m 2 as per Japanese standard) was used across all treatments in accordance with the modified method of Workneh et al [6].…”

Response of Upland New Rice for Africa (NERICA) to Nitrogen Fertilization in the Guinea Savannah Agro-ecological Zone

“…Although each NERICA seems to react differentially to nitrogen treatment, in general, 60 kg N/ha seemed to be the ideal amount for NERICA. Bekere et al [20] reported similar results. Economic efficiency should be considered while managing fertilizer.…”