Performance of Upland Rice Fitted into Lowland Rice–Vegetable/Cowpea Sequence in Rainfed Inland Valley

Abstract

The inland valleys (IVs) have the potential of growing three crops in sequence within a year without supplemental irrigation. Considerable opportunity exists for growing the third crop between main crop and dry season cropping. This is a niche that has not been exploited. Field experiments were conducted at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria in 2000–2003 to determine the growth and yield performance of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) in lowland rice–upland rice–fallow, lowland rice–upland rice–cowpea [Vigna unguculata (L.) Walp], and lowland rice–upland rice–vegetable sequences in an IV. Lowland rice–upland rice–fallow, lowland rice–upland rice–cowpea, lowland rice–upland rice–okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), lowland rice–upland rice–amaranth (Amaranth cruentus), lowland rice–fallow–fallow, lowland rice–fallow–cowpea, lowland rice–fallow–okra, and lowland rice–fallow–amaranth sequences, which ran concurrently constituted a cropping cycle. The first, second, and third crops in all the cropping cycles were planted in May, October and January, respectively. The grain yields of preceding lowland rice in the various sequences with or without upland rice were similar. The preceding lowland rice variety BW 311‐9 enhanced the height and grain yield performance of upland rice. The grain yields of the two upland rice varieties in the existing niche were similar in the three‐crop sequence but substantially lower than the obtainable yield in an upland ecology. Upland rice crop could be grown in between the lowland rice and vegetable/cowpea without reducing the yields of lowland rice and vegetable. Inclusion of upland rice in the sequence decreased the overall benefit/cost ratio of triple cropping. Thus, two‐crop sequence, which is currently being practiced by the traditional farmers, should be adhered to, until a suitable crop or technology is identified.

Evaluation of Sowing Methods of Upland and Ratooned Rice Planted in-between Lowland Rice-Fluted Pumpkin Sequence in Derived Savannah

“…The extreme low grain yield obtained from dry dibbling of upland rice could be attributed to poor respiration in anaerobic condition of the soil in the niche between lowland rice and dry season cropping. This poor germination was also reported by Adigbo et al (2007). This suggests that transplanted seedlings, pre-germinated dibble and pre-germinated help to overcome poor emergence and thus, improving the performance of upland rice in niche.…”

“…Self sufficiency in rice in Nigeria, West Africa and indeed in Sub-Sahara Africa could be attained, if efforts are geared towards increasing crop intensification in the abundant inland valley where cultivation of arable crops can be done three times in a year (Adigbo et al, 2007;Adigbo et al, 2012; rather than dissipating energy in over-exploited upland ecology. Wetlands in sub-Saharan Africa are estimated to cover 228 million ha (Bergkamp et al, 2000).…”

“…Land intensification via triple cropping in inland valley, without irrigation, could be a viable option for resource-poor farmers, who accounted for 65% rice production. Adigbo et al (2007) explored the possibility of growing three crops without irrigation in the inland valley. Poor crop establishment was the major challenge associated with the second rice in the niche between lowland rice and dry season crops but this was resolved.…”

Response of lowland rice-ratooned rice-fluted pumpkin sequence to fertilizer in rainfed inland valley in derived savannah of Nigeria

“…Consequently, with efficient utilization of land resources, there are two options available in order to reduce rice importation via; land intensification and extensification of the naturally abundant fadama. Adigbo et al (2007) examine the intensification of inland valley via triple cropping of lowland riceupland rice-vegetable) within 3 year and reported that it was possible to grow 3 crops without reducing the yield of lowland rice. However, the upland rice component in the sequence decreased the overall benefit/cost ratio of triple cropping rather than increasing it.…”

Evaluation of the Performance of Lowland Rice-ratooned Rice-vegetable as Influenced by Fertilizer Rates in Sawah Rice Systems

“…The utility of inland valley was further improved by increasing the crop intensification from two to three crops per year (Adigbo et al, 2007;Adigbo et al, 2010;Adigbo, 2012) without supplemental irrigation but the sustainability and judicious fertilizer utilization were not efficient. Therefore, there is the need to ascertain the productivity of the triple system in sawah based rice system which lay emphasis on the improvement of the rice environment.…”