Field Demonstration Trial on the Effect of Nitrogen Application for Growth and Yield of Nerica 4 Rice

Abstract: In the Sahel and West Africa rice is staple food and widely grown in different agro-ecologies of low land and upland conditions. In crop production, nitrogen is an important nutrient element for the growth and development of rice. The application of nitrogen fertilizer has become one of the inevitable ways to increase the yield potentials of rice. In order to achieve high output farmers usually apply the required dosage of NPK. The application of appropriate nitrogen fertilizer promotes rapid plant growth, high tillering, which results better increment of rice quantity. The objective was to evaluate the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer rates on the growth and performance of NERICA 4 variety. The field method was randomized complete block design in different treatments and replicates of 0kg/ha, 50kg/ha, 100kg/ha and150kg/ha of nitrogen fertilizer respectively. The application method of nitrogen was at basal (60%) and top dressing (panicle initiation stage 40%). The statistical software package excel and analysis of variance (ANOVA x) were used for data analysis and interpretation of results at least significant difference (LSD) of 5%. In conclusion, the experiment demonstrated that paddy growers of Nerica 4 obtained high yields at 50kg/ha- 150kg/ha of nitrogen with the use of the right cultivation techniques, However, the results further indicate a clear disparity between nitrogen 50kg/ha with regards to nitrogen 0kg. The demonstration trial recommend further research to explore the yield potentials of Nerica 4 variety.