Response of rice to nitrogen rate and inter-row spacing at guraferda and gojeb south western Ethiopia

Abstract

Rice is a major cereal crop in Gojeb and Guraferda areas. However, the crop yield is low due to lack of site-specific recommendations on Nitrogen rate and inter-row spacing. Accordingly, a field experiment was conducted at Gojeb and Guraferda, southern Ethiopia, in 2019 to evaluate the response of rice to Nitrogen rate (0,32, 64, and 96kg) and inter-row spacing (20cm, 25cm and 30cm) during the rainy season. The treatments laid out on Randomized complete block design with three replications. The phenological and yield related parameters were recorded. Analysis of variance done by using SAS version 9.3 and mean separation for significant treatments were done by least significant difference. Results of the study indicated that both Nitrogen fertilizer rate and inter-row spacing had a significant effect on growth and yield parameters. As a result, total number of tillers and grain yield were highly significantly (p<0.01) affected by main effects of Nitrogen fertilizer rate and inter-row spacing. However, days to maturity and plant height were significantly (p<0.01) affected by Nitrogen fertilizer rate. Generally, 96kg of Nitrogen fertilizer was found to be suitable for production of the highest grain yield (4090.5 kg ha^-1). Inter-row spacing at 25 cm and 30 cm inter-row spacing had given the highest yield. Therefore, the outcome of this study revealed that the Nitrogen fertilizer rate of 96kg ha-1and inter-row spacing of 25 cm could be feasible and can be recommended for the study area with the assistance of extension field staff.