Journal of Applied Sciences 14 (2) : 9749 - 9761 June 2011

EVALUATION OF SOME UPLAND RICE VARIETIES FOR

POSSIBLE SELECTION FOR RICE GROWING AREAS IN
CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

E. B. Effa*, D. F. Uwah and E. B. Iwara

Department of Crop Science
University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria.
E-mail: emmaeffa@yahoo.com Tel.: 08037965697

* To whom all correspondence should be addressed

(Accepted 15 May 2011)

ABSTRACT
Rice has ceased to be a luxury food to millions of Nigerians and
now constitutes a major source of calories for the nation. Yet the
demand for rice is hardly met due to several factors of which yield
differences among varieties as well as suitability of varieties for
different locations is outstanding. Varietal r trial was therefore
conducted from May-September, 2006 to assess the growth and
yield of five upland rice varieties (IDSA 85, FARO 11, FARO 43,
Canada and FARO 46 - sourced from National Cereal Research
Institute (NCRI), Amakama, Abia State) at Adim, Iyamoyong,
Ogboja, Okuku and Utugwang in Cross River State. A 5 x 5
factorial combination fitted into a split-plot design with three
replications was used for the study. Plant height ranged from
78.10 to 130.90cm for all varieties in all the locations. FARO 46
produced the highest number of productive tillers, with an
increase of 54.9, 50.77, 56.47 and 106.73% above IDSA 85, FARO
11, FARO 43 and Canada respectively. Canada variety was the
worst performer for all parameters measured in all locations.
IDSA 85 variety flowered earliest, while FARO 46 was the latest to
flower. FARO 46 significantly out yielded other varieties in all
locations with a yield increase of 58.57, 40.13 and 36.04 and
101.5% over IDSA 85, FARO 11, FARO 43 and Canada
E. B. Effa, et al. 9750

respectively. FARO 46 and FARO 43 had the best performance at

all locations and have been designated potential high yielding
varieties and are therefore recommended for commercial rice
production in Cross River State.

INTRODUCTION
Rice belongs to the family Poaceae and originated from India.
Among the major cereals, rice is the most rapidly growing food
source in sub-Saharan Africa. Since the year 2002, global rice
consumption has outstripped global production (1). One third of
the world's population depends on rice for nearly two thirds of its
food (2). China is the world's largest producer of rice, with 166.4
metric tonnes (3). West Africa remains at the hub of rice
production in sub-Saharan Africa, but suffers a shortfall in
production due to significant increases in consumption above
production (4). About 19.3 million hectares of the total rice area of
the world is planted to upland rice (5). In Africa, there are about 2.2
million hectares of upland rice which constitutes 49.8% of the total
rice land (6). In West Africa 40% of the total rice land is devoted to
upland rice, whereas in Nigeria, 26% of cultivated rice is upland
rice (7).
Nigeria is West Africa's leading rice producer with great
potential for increased tonnage (8). Rice has ceased to be luxury
food to millions of Nigerians and now constitutes a major source
of calories for the rural and urban poor with a 5% annual growth
rate in demand. The main problems in rice output improvement in
Nigeria include development of new and improved varieties
having resistance to Pyricularia oryzae, strong quality and
resistance to lodging under fertilization (9). The demand for the
crop is hardly met as a result of fluctuation in yield occasioned by
several factors, of which yield difference among varieties is
outstanding. In Cross River State, upland and swamp rice are
cultivated, but there is need for high yielding varieties that will do
well in the rice zones. If the output of upland rice to be increased,
it is imperative to increase production. This study was therefore
Evaluation of some upland rice varieties 9751

carried out with a view to increasing rice output in Cross River

State through identifying some upland rice varieties for their
adaptability to the various agro-ecozones within the State.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Varietal trail was conducted in five locations Adim (Biase LGA),
Iyamoyong (Obubra LGA), Ogboja (Ogoja LGA), Okuku (Yala
LGA) and Utugwang (Obudu LGA) all within the central or
northern districts of the state. Cross River State is situated in
south eastern Nigeria (5°45'N, 8°30'E) (Fig. 1).

Figure 1: Map of Cross River State Showing Study Areas

E. B. Effa, et al. 9752

The rainfall pattern is bimodal, from March to late

November. This is interrupted by a brief dry spell in August, known
as August break. This has led to early and late planting seasons. The
vegetation is characterized by high rainfall in the rainforest
ecozone that gradually decreases as it progresses northwards.
Thus, these vegetation zones were categorized into tropical
rainforest ecozone comprising Akampka, Biase, Etung, Ikom,
Boki and Obudu LGAs. The Guinea savannah ecozone has Abi,
Yakuur and Obubra LGAs situated there. Odukpani, Calabar
South, Calabar Municipality, Akpabuyo, Bakassi Local
Government Area (LGAs) are found in the Mangrove and swamp
forest ecozone, while Yala, Ogoja and Bekwara are in the derived
savannah or transition zone. Parts of Obudu and Obanliku are in the
montane ecozone.
FMA (10) gave a summary of the soils in the study areas as
follows:
Adim - Geology - coastal plain sands and sandstones. The soil is
described as deep to moderately deep, well drained and moderately
deep poorly drained soils, sandy, sandy loam, loamy sand or sandy
clay loam to clay surfaces overlying sandy loam, sandy clay loam
or clay.
Iyamoyong - Rainforest soils, having geology of level basaltic
areas. Soils are described as ferrasols, 200-400cm clay overlying
strongly weathered or basaltic rock.
Ogboja and Okuku - In the derived savannah ecological zone has
a geology of cretaceous sand stones. The soil is described as
moderately deep to deep, well drained soil, with some imperfectly
to poorly drained soils, sandy loamy surfaces over sandy clay loam
to sandy clay subsoil.
Utugwang - Is in montane ecological zone with a geology
described as sand stone and shale. The soil is described as deep
imperfectly drained soils, sandy clay loam surfaces over gravelly
or concretionary clay subsoil.
Soils from each location were randomly sampled at depths
0-30cm, bulked and the composites analyzed (11). The
Evaluation of some upland rice varieties 9753

experimental design was a 5 x 5 factorial laid out in split-plot

design with 3 replications. The locations made up the main plots
while the varieties constituted the sub-plot. Each experimental unit
(5 x 5m) was separated by lm paths and each replicate by 2m wide
paths. Five upland rice varieties - IDSA 85, FARO 11, FARO 43,
Canada and FARO 46 sourced from NCRI Amakama, Abia State
were tried in different locations. Plots were manually cleared and
tilled into raised beds. Sowing was done progressively one week
apart in each location (May- June) towards the hinterland as the
rains intensified. Four seeds were planted per hole by dibbling at a
spacing of 20 x 20cm and later thinned to two plants per stand 2
weeks after planting (WAP) to give a population of 500,000
plants/ha. Plots were manually weeded at 5 and 10 WAP. The
experiment lasted for 12 weeks and terminated in September. The
following growth and yield parameters were measured: plant
height (cm), number of productive tillers, number of days to 50%
flowering and total grain yield (t/ha)
Data was subjected to analysis of variance and means were
compared using Fisher's Least Significant difference (LSD) at the
0.05 level of probability (12).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Physic-chemical properties of the study areas are presented (Table
I). A summary of the mean monthly rainfall across the different
zones is presented (Table II). Rainfall increased from May to June
and dipped in July to August then increased again in September.
The northern zone had the highest rainfall (324.2mm) occurring in
September, while the central zone had the highest rainfall
(264.0mm) in June.
The effect of location and variety on plant height is
presented (Table III). A close look at the data revealed that all the
varieties had significantly taller plants at Adim and the shortest at
Okuku. FARO 46 had the tallest plants (113.80cm) at lyamoyong
which was statistically at par with FARO 43. At Ogboja and
Utugwang, all other varieties except FARO 11 (90.47cm) and
E. B. Effa, et al. 9754

Canada (87.5cm) were statistically at Par. FARO II and IDSA 85

differed significantly in height at all locations of the trials. Plant
height observed in this study ranged from 78.1cm to 138.9cm.
Plant height ranged from 86.0cm to 130cm in Niger and Akwa
Ibom States (13). It was asserted that plant height is an important
trait relating to yield index, growth duration, nitrogen response and
lodging resistance (14).

Table I. Some physico-chemical properties of soil in the study

areas
Chemical Properties
lyamoyong Adim Ogboja Okuku Utugwang
Organic Matter 10.30 6.90 4.00 4.00 4.80
(%)
Total N (%) 0.06 0.16 0.05 0.04 0.06
Organic Carbon 0.18 0.20 0.16 0.14 0.16
(%)
P(ppm) Mg/kg 12.10 11.52 2.40 4.32 2.40
K 0.06 0.30 0.14 0.12 0.10
Na 0.05 0.09 0.09 0.08 0.04
Ca 0.80 0.10 1.50 0.09 1.20
Mg 0.60 0.40 0.90 0.50 0.60
CEC 4.51 6.50 4.60 3.60 3.40
BS (%) 29 31 63 53 58
Mechanical Properties
Sand(%) 19.20 67.0 68.96 52.0 67.60
Clay(%) 63.4 14.1 19.12 20.3 14.48
Silt(%) 17.4 18.9 11.92 28.7 17.92
Textural class Clay Sandy loam Sandyloam Sandy loam Sandy loam
pH (H20) 4.59 4.50 5.0 4.90 4.40

The mean total number of productive tillers at maturity for

the five varieties at different locations is presented in Table IV.
FARO 46 produced the highest number of productive tillers in all
locations compared to other varieties giving an increase of 54.9,
50.77, 56.47 and 106.73% productive tillers above IDSA 85,
FARO 11, FARO 43 and Canada respectively. At Adim, Okuku
and Utugwang, the number of productive tillers produced by
FARO 11, FARO 43 and IDSA 85 were statistically at par. Within
locations, the number of productive tillers produced by FARO 11
and FARO 46 at Iyamoyang and Adim were significantly higher
than those at Okuku and Utugwang. Environmental factors such as
Evaluation of some upland rice varieties 9755

light, nutrient supply as well as cultural practices - spacing affect

tillering (15 and 16). Higher tillering at Iyamoyang and Adim
could have been due to higher nutrient status of the soils. More so,
regular rainfall throughout the growth period and a sharp decline in
August break may have enhanced the tillering phenomenon. IITA
(17) reported increased vegetative growth during high temperature
periods, characteristic of August. The number of days to 50%
flowering was least for FARO 11, being the earliest to flower in all
locations (Table V). FARO 43 and FARO 46 were the latest to
flower. Average flowering period for FARO 11 was 80.67 days
while the other varieties attained 50% flowering later. Early
maturing varieties were classified as those that flower in less than
80 days from sowing, and medium maturing as those that take 80
to 150 days from sowing (18). From our study, FARO 11 was
early maturing because it consistently flowered earlier in three
locations: Iyamoyang (72.66), Adim (77.33) and Ogboja (77.67).
Therefore, it was genetically stable for early flowering. The other
varieties were medium maturing as they attained 50% flowering
from 80 days and above.
The mean grain yield of five varieties in five locations is
presented (Table VI). FARO 46 had significantly higher grain
yield than all other varieties (2.68t/ha), which differed from all
others at Iyamoyang. FARO 46 had a yield increase of 58.57,
40.31, 36.04 and 101.5% above IDSA 85, FARO 11, FARO 43
and Canada respectively. FARO 43 and IDSA 85 produced grain
yields of 2.30t/ha and 2.25t/ha respectively at Adim locations.
Grains yields of all other varieties were statistically at par at
Okuku and Utugwang fields. Canada had the lowest yield among
the varieties in all locations. In addition to highest number of
productive tillers, FARO 46 and FARO 43 varieties had the
highest yields in this study and also flowered later than all other
varieties. This was because it had more vegetative growth and so
accumulated more assimilates through photosynthesis which
resulted in higher yield.
E. B. Effa, et al. 9756

Table 11. Rainfall characteristics for central and northern

Cross River State during the study period.
Location
Central Northern
2000 2001 2000 2001
May 215.0 186.0 144.7 152.9
June 341.0 264.0 337.6 205.1
July 362.0 192.0 304.2 109.5
August 123.0 112.4 162.8 198.8
September 307.4 211.6 285.1 324.2
Source: Federal Ministry of Aviation Metrological Station,
Ogoja.
Table III. Mean plant height of five upland rice varieties
across five locations of study area at 12 WAP
Location
Variety lyamoyong Adim Ogboja Okuku Utugwang Mean
IDSA 85 101.40 116.60 105.50 85.56 100.20 101.85
FARO 11 99.20 105.8 90.47 78.60 87.50 92.31
FARO 43 106.96 138.90 106.20 88.43 91.10 106.32
CANADA 89.17 108.40 95.00 78.10 87.50 91.63
FARO 46 113.80 136.60 103.27 88.07 91.10 106.57
Mean 102.11 121.26 100.09 83.75 91.48
LSD (VAR) 0.05 = 11.73
LSD (Loc) = 3.93

Table IV. Mean total number of productive tillers at maturity

among 5 varieties in different locations of the study
area at 12WAP.
Location
Variety lyamoyong Adim Ogboja Okuku Utugwang Mean
IDSA 85 10.00 8.00 8.68 4.33 3.67 6.94
FARO 11 13.00 9.33 7.33 3.00 3.00 7.13
FARO 43 9.00 9.00 9.00 3.67 3.67 6.87
CANADA 7.00 6.67 6.00 4.00 2.33 5.20
FARO 46 15.33 17.33 10.33 6.33 4.33 10.75
Mean 10.87 10.07 8.27 4.27 3.40
LSD (VAR) 0.05 = 1.55
LSD (Loc) = 6.41
Evaluation of some upland rice varieties 9757

Table V. Days to 50% flowering of five rice varieties at five

locations in Cross River State - Nigeria.
Location
Variety Iyamoyong Adim Ogboja Okuku Utugwang Mean
IDSA 85 95.33 91.61 91.33 91.67 89.67 91.93
FARO 11 72.66 77.33 77.67 87.67 88.00 80.67
FARO 43 108.66 108.67 99.00 90.33 92.33 99.40
CANADA 88.66 90.67 81.00 86.67 91.33 87.67
FARO 46 101.60 101.67 100.67 100.30 98.33 100.51
Mean 63.8 93.60 89.93 91.33 91.93
LSD (VAR) 0.05 = 0.59
LSD (Loc) = 4.06

The yields obtained in this study were comparable to those

reported by Federal Ministry of Agriculture (7, 9 and 19). Yields
of 1.5 to 2.8t/ha were obtained in trials with clean-grained high
yielding rice varieties for upland humid tropics. Yields of upland
rice across the different ecosystems generally remain low,
reflecting the use of low input, manual crop management
techniques and lack of water control (20).
The interactions between locations and variety were
significant for plant height, number of productive tillers, number
of day to 50% flowering and total grain yield (t/ha) (Table VII).
The tallest variety (138.93cm) was FARO 43 at Adim
location. This could be due to the higher inherent nitrogen and
organic matter in the soil which encouraged growth (20 and 23).
The total number of productive tillers" was the highest for FARO
46 at Iyamoyong and Adim, while Utugwang had the lowest. The
productivity or effectiveness of tillers is a function of the
availability of soil nutrients to the plant at the critical period to
support bearing tillers (18). Adim is situated in the rainforest,
where bush fallowing is commonly practiced. This could have
influenced available nutrients to the crops. The number of day to
50% flowering was highest for FARO 43 at Iyamoyong. A
comparison of the yield shows that FARO 46 had highest yields at
Iyamoyang. Also, FARO 46 had the highest yield in all the
locations followed by FARO 43. At Adim and Ogboja locations,
yield of FARO 46 was at par but higher than Okuku and
E. B. Effa, et al. 9758

Utugwang. The contribution of late maturing as well as higher

number of productive tillers obviously enhanced this yield
superiority. IITA (17) asserted that grain yields of rice varieties
(IT A 212, TOS 103) were higher when plants ripened later and
under high solar radiation (September - March) than where low
solar radiation prevailed (June - September).

CONCLUSION
Results showed that FARO 46 gave the highest yield of 2.68t/ha
across the locations, amounting to about 58.57, 40.31, 36.04 and
101,5% above IDSA 85, FARO 11, FARO 43 and Canada
varieties respectively. Location had a significant effect on the
performance of the different varieties. Based on our findings,
FARO 46 and FARO 43 are recommended for farmers in Cross
River State because of their superior yield advantages over the
other varieties across the locations.
Table VI. Mean Grain yield (t/ha) of five upland rice varieties
in five locations.
Location
Variety lyamoyong Adim Ogboja Okuku Utugwang Mean
IDSA 85 1.69 2.25 1.64 1.42 1.15 1.63
FARO 11 1.91 1.91 1.64 0.61 0.49 1.31
FARO 43 1.97 2.36 1.51 1.35 1.13 1.66
CANADA 1.33 1.91 1.28 0.58 0.47 1.11
FARO 46 1.68 2.53 1.99 1.63 1.60 2.09
Mean 1.92 2.19 1.61 1.11 0.97
LSD (VAR) 0.05 = 0.59
LSD (Loc) = 4.06
Table VII. Interaction between location and varieties on plant
height (cm).
Plant height (cm)
Variety IDSA 85 FARO 11 FARO 43 CANADA FARO 46 Variety
lyamoyong 101.43 99.2 106.97 89.17 113.77 101.43
Adim 111.6 105.8 138.93 108.43 136.6 111.6
Ogboja 105.53 90.47 106.2 95.0 103.77 105.53
Okuku 85.57 78.6 80.43 78.1 88.07 85.57
Utugwang 100.2 87.5 91.1 87.5 91.1 100.2
lyamoyong 101.43 99.2 106.97 89.17 113.77 101.43
LSD 0.05 = 11.73
SE± = 2.98
Evaluation of some upland rice varieties 9759

Table VIII. Interaction between location and varieties on

number of productive tillers and
Number of productive tillers
Variety IPSA 85 FARO 11 FARO 43 CANADA FARO 46 Variety
Iyamoyong 10.0 15.67 10.33 10.0 17.67 10.0
Adim 8.0 9.33 9.0 6.67 17.33 8.0
Ogboja 8.67 7.33 9.0 6.0 10.33 8.67
Okuku 4.33 3.0 5.67 4.0 10.33 4.33
Utugwang 3.67 3.0 3.67 2.33 4.33 3.67
Iyamoyong 10.0 15.67 10.33 10.0 17.67 10.0
LSD 0.05 = 11.73
SE± = 2.98

Number of days to 50% flowering

Iyamoyong 10.0 15.67 10.33 10.0 17.67 3.67
Adim 8.0 9.33 9.0 6.67 17.33 8.0
Ogboja 8.67 7.33 9.0 6.0 10.33 8.67
Okuku 4.33 3.0 5.67 4.0 10.33 4.33
Utugwang 3.67 3.0 3.67 2.33 4.33 3.67
Iyamoyong 10.0 15.67 10.33 10.0 17.67 10.0
LSD =11.73
SE± =2.98
Number of days to 50% flowering
Iyamoyong 95.33 72.67 108.67 88.67 101.61 95.33
Adim 91.67 77.33 106.67 90.67 101.67 91.67
Ogboja 91.33 77.67 98.0 81.0 100.67 91.33
Okuku 91.33 78.67 98.01 81.0 100.33 91.33
Utugwang 89.67 88.0 97.33 91.33 98.33 89.67
lyamoyong 95.33 72.67 108.67 88.67 101.61 95.33
LSD 0.05 = 4.06
SE± = 3.90
Total grain yield (t/ha)
Iyamoyong 1.69 1.91 1.97 1.23 2.68 1.69
Adim 2.25 1.91 2.30 1.91 2.53 2.25
Ogboja 2.25 1.91 2.30 1.91 2.53 2.25
Okuku 1.42 0.61 1.35 0.58 1.63 1.42
Utugwang 1.15 0.49 1.13 0.47 1.60 1.15
lyamoyong 1.69 1.91 1.97 1.23 2.68 1.69
LSD 0.05 = 0.70
SE± = 0.66
E. B. Effa, et al. 9760

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