Agronomic Evaluation of the Soils of a Toposequence for Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Production in Odeda LGA, Ogun State
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Date
2018-05
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Publisher
Nigerian Journal of Soil and Tillage Research
Abstract
A suitability evaluation of some soil used for rice production in Odeda LGA of Ogun State was carried out. The result indicated that the identified soil types were currently marginally or unsuitable (N1) for rice production because of the index of current productivity IPc that ranged between 1.13 and 5.32. However the result further indicated that with improve agronomic and soil management technique, the suitability of these soil can be improved to S1 or S2 (highly suitable / moderately suitable) .This experiment was carried out to determine the level of agronomic and soil improvement that will result in acceptable yield of rice on these soils. A 2×2×2 factorial trial was used to evaluate the performance of rice under different management and fertilizer regimes within each mapping unit for two seasons. The factor considered were two rice varieties (Ofada and NERICAI), two types of fertilizers (N: P: K 20:10:10 at 400kg/ha and cured poultry manure at 10t/ha) and two different management methods (traditional and improved agronomic methods). The performance of the rice varieties did not differ across the land suitability units but was significantly affected by management practices (P=0.05). Fertilizer application increased the yield of rice by 30% while the difference in yield resulting from improved traditional farming was 10%. Application of both mineral and organic fertilizers significantly [P<0.001] improved the growth and yield of rice with organic fertilizer having higher effects. In conclusion, the productive capacity of soils for rice production can be improved through the use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers.