Phosphorus levels in the soil are easily fixed and rendered unavailable to plants even if they are found to be high and therefore, its influence on uptake of other nutrients such as nitrogen, and potassium cannot be overemphasized. In that view, an experiment was set out at KALRO-Mwea to investigate on the effect of phosphorus levels on soil properties and plant tissue nutrient contents of Nerica rice variety. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design in splitsplit plot arrangement and replicated thrice. Two rice varieties (Nerica 11 and Nerica 4) formed the main plots and 4 phosphorus levels (0 kg P/ha, 25 kg P/ha, 50 kg P/ha and 75 kg P/ha) formed the sub plots. Highest net pH decreases of 0.20 and 0.22 units were recorded at 75 Kg haˉ¹ P 2 O 5 in season 1 and season 2 respectively, while the lowest net decreases of 0.12 and 0.16 were elicited at 50 Kg haˉ¹ P 2 O 5 treatment in season 1 and season 2 respectively. A net decrease was observed in all the CEC levels where phosphorus was applied in all the seasons in which the highest net Original Research Article
Phosphorus is one macronutrient that commonly gets fixed and accumulates into soils after it has been in use for long, thus becoming readily unavailable to plants in subsequent years. Such scenario is ontological in Mwea where rice farming is practiced, yet this element is one main critical nutrient that plants cannot do without for they need it for root initiation, root development, photosynthesis, grain-formation, grain-filling, as well as yielding. In that view therefore, an experiment was undertaken in Mwea irrigation scheme with the aim of investigating on the influence of phosphorus levels on yield components and grain yield of Nerica 4 and 11. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design in split-plot arrangement replicated thrice. Two rice varieties (Nerica 4 and Nerica 11) formed main plots and phosphorus levels (0 kg P/ha, 25 kg P/ha, 50 kg P/ha and 75 kg P/ha) formed split plots. Data was collected on appropriate parameters between week 4 and 19 after sowing at intervals of three weeks. Results demonstrated that phosphorus levels significantly influenced the 1000-grain weight and number of panicles in the tested varieties. Additionally, Grain yield mean variation was observed, where highest grain yield of Etabo et al.; ASRJ, 2(1): 1-13, 2019; Article no.ASRJ.46968 2 0.988 tons per hectare was produced in Nerica 4 on 50 kg P/ha in season 2, while least grain yield of 0.831 tons per hectare was still produced in the same variety on control in season 1, thus 50 kg P/ha on Nerica 4 is recommended for rice farming in Mwea. The study would be used as a body of guidelines and information for judicial, responsible, and promotion of prescribed application of phosphates in Nerica rice farming at planting for realization of higher yields between the two Nerica varieties (Nerica 4 and 11) in Mwea and with like agro ecological areas. Original Research Article
Mwea irrigation scheme presents itself as the most hard-hit with climate change impacts particularly drought; Mwea is endowed with modern irrigation infrastructure for rice production, though the watering practice meant to equitably allow every farm with crops to access water effectively and efficiently. In order for all crops in every farm to benefit equitably from such irrigation, therefore, watering of crops in the farms needs scheduling. In that view, therefore, an experiment was set out at KALRO-Mwea to investigate the effect of irrigation scheduling on growth parameters of two Nerica rice varieties. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design in split-plot arrangement replicated thrice. It was justifiable to adopt this design for purposes of controlling variation in the experiment taken through taking account of spatial effects in the experimentation. Two rice varieties (Nerica 4 and Nerica 11) formed the main plots and four irrigation schedules (Daily, Every 4 days, Every 5 days and Weekly) formed the sub plots. Results indicated that the treatments significantly influenced plant height, fresh leaf weight, dry leaf weight, chlorophyll content, panicle length and panicle number of the two Nerica varieties at maturity. On the basis of research findings, it is recommended to the farmers in Mwea that the Nerica 4 on every 3 days and weekly irrigation schedules will be the best method to adopt.
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