Alternate Wetting and Drying as Water Management Techniques for the Growth and Yield of Rice (Oryza glaberrima) in Botanical Garden Gombe State University
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1011-5598Keywords:
Alternate Wetting and Drying, Continuous Flooding, Rice, YieldAbstract
In Nigeria, the agriculture is encountering a lot of challenges due to climate change, especially the growing scarcity of water for crop production, which threatens irrigated lowland rice production at the botanical garden Gombe State University. Alternate wetting and drying can save a significant amount of irrigation water without affecting its yield, hence; this study evaluated the growth and yield traits of improved and local rice cultivars grown under Alternate Wetting and drying (AWD) and continuous flooding (CF) water management. The experiments were arranged using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results showed that at 20 weeks after transplanting, Faro44, Nerica, Jamila, and Mai Zabura recorded the highest number of tillers under CF, while B.G Doguwa and B.G Gajera performed better under AWD. For the number of panicles, CF outperformed AWD across all varieties studied. Regarding root length and volume, AWD showed remarkable performance in all varieties except B.G Doguwa, where CF recorded the highest values. No yield was recorded in any variety exposed to the AWD treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the duration of the AWD treatment and increase plant spacing to at least 15 cm apart. Identifying a promising rice variety with high and stable yields under AWD will help promote the system amongst the farmers and achieve an average of 50% water savings in rice production.
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