Growth Characters of Nerica Rice (O.sativa × O.glaberrima) as Affected by Cowdung and Nitrogen Fertilizer in Mubi Adamawa State Nigeria

Field experiment were conducted during the 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Agriculture Technology. Federal Polytechnic Mubi to study the effects of different levels of cowdung and nitrogen on the growth of NERICA rice. The experiments were laid out in a split plot design with cowdung levels (0,1,2 and 3 t/ha) assigned to the main plots and collected on growth characters were subjected to analysis of variance. Significant different means were separated using least significant difference (LSD). Results obtained showed significant (P =0.01) effect on plant heights at 6,9 and 12 weeks after sowing in 2012 season while there were no significant (P=0.05) effect on plant heights at 6,9 and 12 weeks after sowing in 2011 season. It was observed that tallest plants were recorded from application of cowdung and nitrogen at the rate of 3 t/ha and 180 kg N/ha (99.92 cm and 109.25 cm) respectively while the shortest plant were recorded from 0 t/ha and 0 kg N/ha (75.92 cm and 64.17 cm) respectively. The highest weight of dry matter per plant and weight of dry matter per plot were obtained from application of cowdung and nitrogen at the rate of 3 t/ha and 180 kg N/ha in both seasons, while the least were obtained from 0 t/ha and 120 kg N/ha. Based on the findings, it would be concluded that optimum growth of NERICA-3 rice in Mubi agro ecological zone would be obtained by a combined rate of 3 t/ha and 180 kg N/ha. Keywords: NERICA, Cowdung, Nitrogen, Growth, Yield, Fertilizer