Response of Upland New Rice for Africa (NERICA) to Nitrogen Fertilization in the Guinea Savannah Agro-ecological Zone

Abstract

The trial was conducted during the cropping season of 2020 June to November on the upland field of the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), at Nyankpala near Tamale in the Northern Region of Ghana. The objective was to establish the response of Upland New Rice for Africa (NERICA) to nitrogen fertilization in the Guinea Savannah Agroecological Zone. Two upland NERICAs were used. A 2×2×5 factorial experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in three replications. The Phosphorus and Nitrogen fertilizers rates were 0, 60 kg P/ha and 0, 30, 60, and 120 kg N/ha respectively. There were significant differences (p< 0.05) in the effect of P and N levels on plant height, number of tillers, panicle weight, and straw weight. Combined application of 60kg P/ha and 60kg N/ha increased the grain yield of upland NERICAs. The upland NERICA in the savannah zone should get 60 kg N/ha in addition to 60 kg P/ha for the best grain production.