Participatory varietal selection of upland rice (Oryza sativa) varieties in the groundnut basin, Senegal

Abstract

In Senegal, rice plays a critical role for smallholder farmers by providing food security. However, rice production is very low compared to the high needs of the population. This might be explained to some extent by the use of not adapted and low yielding varieties. This study aimed at identifying the best upland rice varieties that meet farmers’ criteria using participatory varietal selection method in order to speed up their early adoption and therefore increase upland rice diversity in the Southern and South-Eastern part of the groundnut basin agro-ecological zone. In total, 30 varieties including NERICA 6 as standard check were evaluated at ISRA Nioro research station. At flowering time, 29 farmers including both men and women were invited to participate in the selection process. Farmers classified upland rice varieties’ selection criteria according to the order of importance: Earliness, moderate plant height, high yield and termite tolerance respectively. The most chosen varieties by farmers were NERICA 8 and ART16-13-13-2-2-B-1-B-1-B. For all the agronomic traits, the genotypes showed a highly significant variation. The high yielding varieties were CNAX 3031-78-2-1-7 and JOPYEONG which yielded respectively 48 and 44% more than the check. In general, the ranking according to farmers’ choice was not in agreement with the method using grain yield. Based on agronomic performances, farmers and breeders selections, few varieties were selected and should be evaluated under multi-location trials in farmer’ fields for two seasons, before undergoing for a release process. Key words: Rice, participatory varietal selection, groundnut basin, Senegal.