ABSTRACT
The research experiment was conducted at the Institute of Agricultural Research Greenhouse, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. The treatments used were USG @ 45,08KgN/ha, USG @ 72.22KgN/ha, USG @ 117.30KgN/ha and PU @ 117.30KgN/ha, LCC at critical level and control (without amendment) laid out in a Completely Randomized Design repeated three times. The data was subjected to statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using New Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Application of USG at 45.08, 72.22 and 117.30 kgN/ha rate in deep placement showed more increase in number of tillers (7.916, 9.750; 6.916, 9.500 and 6.750, 10.083) and plant height (20.120, 25.453; 20.290, 26.707 and 21.096, 26.540) than PU with (7.500, 9.250 and 18.540, 23.163) because the superiority of USG fertilizer over prilled urea (PU) in rice culture showed that fertilizer nitrogen recovery with USG deep placement was 65 – 95% due to availability in slow release of nitrogen under super granule while it was only 32 – 55% with the conventional PU which is broadcasted due to surface water run-off and lower amount of ammonia volatilization loss. The work shows some levels of inconsistency; hence it is recommended that the work should serve as a baseline for further research in the study area.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page……………………………………………………………………………..i
Declaration…..………………………………………………………………………ii
Certification………..………………………………………………………………..iii
Dedication……….………………………………………………………………….iv
Acknowledgements..……………………………………………………………..…v
Abstract……………………………………………………………………………...vi
Table of contents…………………………………………………………………..vii
List of tables…………………………………………………………………………ix
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………….1
Background of the study……………………………………………………1
Statement of problem………………….……………………………………2
Objective of the study……………………………………………………….3
Limitation of the study………………………………………………………3
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW..……………………………………………………...4
Botanical Description of rice plant.……………………………………....…4
Rice Production in Nigeria…………………………………………………..4
World Distribution of Rice…………………………………...……..……….5
Economic Importance of Rice……………………………..……...…………6
Agronomic Practices for Rice ………………………………………..……..7
Land Preparation…………………………………………………………….7.
Seed Treatment………………………………………………………………7
Sowing of Rice………….…………………………………………………...7
Direct Seeding…………………………………………………………….....7
Transplanting………………………………………………….......................8
Rice Weed Control…………………………………………….……….……8
2.5.4.1Hand Weeding……………………………………………………………….8
2.5.4.1 Chemical Weed Control……………………………………………………..8
Fertilizer Applications.......…………………………………………...……...9
Basal Applications…………………………………………………………..9
Top Dressing………………………………………………….........................9
Harvesting………………………….…………………………………..…….10
Sources of Nitrogen for Rice…………………………………………….......10
Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizers on Rice Production……………………...........11
Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizers on Rice Plant Height………………….............12
Effect of Fertilizers on Rice Plant Tillering……………………......................13
Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizers on Rice Yield……………………....................14
Problems of Nitrogen Fertilization in Rice………………………...................15
Ammonia (NH3) Volatilization………………………………….....................15
Denitrification……………………………………………………...................16
Leaf Colour Chart………………………………………………….….......….16
Critical Colour Grades (LCC Values)………………………………..….……18
Advantages of Leaf Colour Chart………………………………………….…18
CHAPTER THREE
Materials and Mathods...……………………………………………….…………19
Location and Description of Experimental Site……………………………….....19
Experimental Design or Layout………………………………………….………19
Cultural Practices………………………………………………………………...20
Soil Sample Collection……………………………………………………..........20
Preparation of Soil Sample for Raising Seedling……………..............................20
Preparation of Site………………………………….............................................20
Seed Treatment and Sowing of Seed....................................................................21
Fertilizer Application...………………………………………………………….....21
Transplanting and Imposement of Treatment……………………………............22
Data Collection………………………………………………………...................23
Plant Height……………………………………………………............................23
Number of Tillers……………………………………………................................23
Number of Leaves…………………………………………...................................23
Post-Harvest Sample Collection………………………………..............................23
Data Analysis...........................................................................................................23
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS…………...…………………………….......….24
Treatment Effect on Plant Height………......………………………………….....24
Treatment Effect on Number of Tillers ………………............................................26
Treatment Effect on Number of Leaves……………………....................................28
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS……………….....30
Summary…………………………………………………………………………....30
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………......30
Recommendations……………………………………………………………….......30
REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………………........31
LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1 Treatment effect on rice plant height (cm).......................................................25
Table 4.2 Treatment effect on number of tillers of rice...................................................27
Table 4.3 Treatment effect on rice number of leaves.......................................................29
