The performance of lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars on iron toxic soil augmented with compost

Abstract

Performance of lowland rice grown on anaerobic wetland soil is greatly affected by iron toxicity disorder in Nigeria. Better nutrient management and cultivation of resistant varieties have been recommended as strategy to manage this nutrient disorder. Information on intraspecific lowland NERICA cultivars grown on iron toxic soil augmented with compost is scanty. Therefore, the effect of different rates of compost on growth, dry matter and grain yield of lowland NERICA cultivars grown on iron toxic soil was investigated. A greenhouse experiment comprising of three (two NERICAs and ITA 212) lowland rice cultivars and four varying rates of compost arranged in completely randomized design with six replicates was conducted in greenhouse of Botany Department, University of Ibadan. Data collected on growth and yield parameters were analysed using ANOVA and LSD at P≤ 0.05. Correlation and simple linear regression were used to establish relationship between growth and iron toxicity scores. Results showed that iron toxicity significantly (p≤0.05) reduced growth and yield of lowland rice. Growth and grain yield of NERICA cultivars were significantly better (P ≤0.05) on soil augmented with compost than control. Grain yield was significantly related to the number of leaves affected by iron toxicity. Cultivating lowland NERICA-L-1 on iron toxic soil augmented with 8t ha -1 of compost will enhance better growth, dry matter characteristics and increase lowland NERICA grain yield.

Keywords

• Iron toxicity
• lowland NERICA
• compost
• wetland
• grain yield