Effects of different flood depths on the growth and yield of some lowland rice

This study was conducted to examine the effect of different flood depths on the growth and yield of some lowland rice varieties. The experiment was a 3 × 3 × 5 factorial experiment laid out in Completely Randomized Design with three replications. The factors considered were the effect of different flood depth levels (40cm, 60cm and 80cm) on the different growth stages (vegetative, reproductive and ripening) of five varieties of rice. Parameters assessed includes; Germination%, Elongation per day, Elongation%, Survival%, Plant height (cm), Number of tillers, and Leaf diameter (cm), Days to 50% flowering, Days to 50% maturity, Number of panicle/plant, Number of grain/panicle, 1000 seed weight (g), Seed yields/plant(g), Seed yield/m2 (g). Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. Swana sub 1 was observed to be best variety as it recorded the highest seed yield (g) values of 35.2g, 33.6g and 21.8g for maturity growth stage at 40cm, 60cm and 80cm flood depths respectively while the least seed yield (g) values of 29.8g, 22.6g and 10.4g was recorded by Faro 37 at 40 , 60 and 80cm flood depths. The study concluded also 40cm flood depth as the best for optimum growth and survival of rice. Swana sub 1 is hereby recommended to farmers due to their high yield and ability to withstand flood stress.