Performance of rice under different cultivation and ground cover production systems in Lira district, Uganda

Abstract

In Uganda, most of the soil in rice-growing areas is deficient in nitrogen, as it is one of the nutrient elements important for plant growth. At the same time, crops are exposed to soil moisture deficiencies at critical stages of their growth, as over 90% of the country is prone to drought episodes. Moreover, majority of soils in rice growing areas are deficient in nitrogen. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the performance of rice under different cultivation and ground cover production systems (GCRPS) in Uganda during the period 2021/2022. The matched pair and randomized complete block designs were used. The varieties used in the study were NERICA 4 and PR-107. The treatments assessed comprised upland versus lowland cultivation systems, ground cover rice production system (GCRPS) bare un-mulched, GCRPS straw mulched, GCRPS polyethylene mulched, and flooded rice systems. Data was collected on plant height, grain yield, straw yield, thousand-seed weight, and % N in rice grain and straw. All the data were analyzed using the GENSTAT statistical package version 14. There were significant differences for upland versus lowland cultivation systems (P<0.05) on the number of productive tillers per plant and thousand seed weight. Plant height, grain yield, and straw yield, were not remarkably different (P<0.05) generally, between the cultivation systems. The statistical analysis showed significant differences (P<0.05) between the flooded rice, GCRPS bare un-mulched and the mulched GCRPS. The ground cover rice production system had a remarkable (P<0.05) effect on grain dry matter production and water use efficiency in both seasons. Similarly, there was an increase in grain dry matter yield from the mulched plots during both seasons. Additionally, the highest total N uptake and %N concentration during the two seasons were recorded from the mulched treatments compared to the un-mulched treatments. The GCRPS polyethylene mulched system had the highest nitrogen use efficiency among mulched plots. Overall, the use of GCRPS led to 76% and 84% water savings during the first and second seasons, respectively. Whereas the mulched GCRPS systems together with applied fertiliser improved water and N use efficiencies, respectively. Therefore, the mulched GCRPS systems can be an effective counter against low dry matter yields in N nutrient deficient soils and a declining water resource that cannot support efficient rice production.