Effect of cowpea residue incorporation and nitrogen application rates on the productivity of upland rice

Abstract

3 Abstract: A trial was conducted in 2009 and 2010 at the upland rice field of the Teaching and Research Farms of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (Latitude 7°2 N and 21°E) to investigate effects of cowpea residue incorporation and nitrogen application rates on the productivity of upland rice. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design in split- split plot arrangement and replicated three times. The main plots were incorporated cowpea residue and no cowpea residue incorporated, sub plot were the nitrogen rates (0, 20, 40 and 60 Kg N ha ) while the sub-sub plot were the rice varieties (NERICA 2 and ITA 150). Results 1 obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant treatments means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD). The yield and yield components of rice measured were significantly (P < 0.01) influenced by the incorporated cowpea residue, while nitrogen rates had significant (P < 0.01) influence on yield of rice in 2009 and 2010. Rice varieties showed significant (P < 0.01) difference on all traits measured. It is concluded that the incorporation of grain cowpea with nitrogen fertilizer significantly (P <0.01) enhanced the performance of upland NERICA rice.