Screening and evaluation of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties in inundated soil

Poor germination and subsequent low grain yield of dry seeded upland rice in the existing anaerobic and short niche between lowland rice and dry season crops in the inland valley necessitate the screening of 19 rice varieties. The identification of vigorous growth and short duration upland rice variety in anaerobic condition would optimize this niche. The potted experiment was carried out in the screen house of the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ikole campus in 2015 to screen and evaluate the performance of upland rice varieties in inundated soils with a view to selecting the suitable variety or varieties that will fit into the existing niche in the inland valley. The experiment was laid in a complete randomization design and replicated three times. The number of leaves, biomass and grain weight plant⁻¹ of the varieties were significantly (P ≤ 0.05 %) different. The number of tillers observed in WAB 56-104, NERICA 4, NERICA 6, NERICA 3, NERICA 5, NERICA 10, NERICA 9, ARICA 4 NERICA 1, FARO 63, FARO 65 and NERICA 8 varieties were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of Igbemo varieties. The numbers of days to 50 % flowering of NERICA 1, NERICA 2, NERICA 10, NERICA 5, NERICA 9, NERICA 3, NERICA 7, NERICA 8, ARICA 4 and WAB 56-104 varieties were the lowest. Although Igbemo brown, Igbemo white varieties had the highest grain yields per plant, their maturity period exceeded the short period. Thus, NERICA 2 and NERICA 5 varieties which had lower number of days to flowering could be considered as candidate varieties that can be optimized in the niche in question.