Socio-economic and field performance evaluation of different rice varieties under system of rice intensification in Morogoro Tanzania
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Date
2018-08-10
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Abstract
Worldwide, many Studies on the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) indicate that, the practice has promising results on increased rice
productivity especially with high-yielding varieties. Therefore, it was necessary to validate the system at smallholder farmers’ level under
Tanzanian condition. The study sought to evaluate the performance of selected rice improved varieties under SRI in different fields and locations
in Morogoro region through an action research. Four rice varieties were planted in Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) experimental
fields at the spacing of 25cm x 25cm transplanted at 10 days after emergence. Experimental fields were set in three locations. The evaluation was
followed by socio-economic participatory variety selection (pairwise and matrix scoring methods) which involved 36 farmers from all the three
locations. It included both consumption (aroma, panicle size, grain weight, milling quality, cookability and palatability) and production traits
(Yield, threshability, lodging, maturity, plant height, shuttering, disease tolerance and drought tolerance) of rice varieties. A statistical Package
for Social Science computer software (SPSS) and Genestat were used in data analysis. Field results based on production trait (yield) indicated
TXD 88 to have the highest yield (9.13t/ha). Other yield levels were 8.7t/ha, 8.4t/ha and 6.2t/ha for TXD 307, TXD 306 and Supa respectively.
Yield was significantly influenced by number of productive tillers (P<0.05). Participatory Variety Selection results with consideration of both
production and consumption traits highlighted TXD 306 to be suitable for farmers. We recommend the use of improved rice varieties under
SRI. The dissemination efforts need to foster on the extensive promotion of TXD 306 since it serves the dual purposes by having competitive
production and consumption traits under SRI production system. Breeding programs need to also embark on improving TXD 88 removing its
chalkiness.
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Journal article
Keywords
Rice Variety, Evaluation, Farmer Preference, Systems of Rice Intensification