ASSESSMENT OF SOME SELECTED UPLAND RICE VARIETIES PERFORMANCE IN MANCHOK DISTRICT, KAURA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE.

Dogo Bitrus Ajeye¹, Dahiru Muhhamad Kabiru² and Ogah Halimat³

ABSTRACT

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the major cereal crops worldwide and is the staple food for millions of people in Nigeria. It is consumed across all geopolitical zones and socioeconomic classes. The demand for rice as the most cherished food outweighs the local production in the country. Thus, this study set out to assess the performance of some selected upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties in Manchok District, Kaura Local Government Area, Kaduna State. The aim of this study was to determine which of the selected rice variety that thrive best in the study area which can effectively bust food production and ensure food security given the Tropical Ferruginous soils of the study area. A portion of land with uniform soil characteristic was prepared and partitioned into small plots of 10 x 10m in two rows to reduce incidence of soil micro –variation. Five varieties (FARO 40 (NERICA 8); FARO 45; FARO 49 (NERICA 8 or Jan naira); FARO 55 (NERICA 1 or white jollof) and FARO 58 (NERICA 7)) were planted and monitored. Equal treatment of NPK fertilizer, herbicides and other inputs were applied uniformly. The results showed that FARO 45, FARO 55 and FARO 58 matured earlier <95days of planting, while FARO 40, FARO 49 matured >120 days from planting. The results indicates that the improved varieties give higher yields than the older varieties (i.e. faro 55 and 58 gives higher yields than faro 40, 45 and 49). The study recommends government intervention in terms of provision of fertilizers at subsidized rates and donors from Non – Governmental Organizations to assist farmers with farm inputs such as fertilizers to boost food production.

Awareness is needed on the types of upland rice that gives higher yields (Faro 55, 58), this knowledge is practically lacking for many farmers in the

study are.

Keywords: Rice (Oryza sativa L.), Production, Varieties, Soil Type, Food Security.