Agronomic performance and estimate of genetic variability of upland rice genotypes on acid soil of Cross River State.

Abstract

Studies on the performance and genetic variability of five upland rice genotypes which included FARO 43, FARO 46, FARO 49 and NERICA-1 was carried out on acid soil of Calabar, Cross River State. FARO 43 was found to
give the highest yield of 4.75 t/ha followed by FARO 49 with 4.69 t/ha, indicating that the two genotypes are tolerant to acid soil condition. The genetic variability estimates revealed low values of genotypic coefficient of variability (GCV) and corresponding high values of phenotypic coefficient of variability (PCV) for all the characters investigated with exception of plant height. High heritability (h²) and high genetic advance (GA) were observed for number of tillers and productive tillers. Number of days to 50% flowering, number of grains/panicle and rain yield had high heritability (h2) values with corresponding low genetic advance (GA). These two characteristics are considered as selection indices for further improvement.

KEYWORDS: Acid soil, coefficient of variability, genetic advance, genetic variability, upland rice