Effects of water deficit on days to maturity and yield of three NERICA rainfed rice varieties

Abstract

Water deficit is a major problem in rice grown under rainfed conditions. It affects plant growth and development and ultimately leads to a considerable yield reduction or crop failure. Although the rice crop is susceptible to water deficit, there is a marked genotypic variation in response to water deficit. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of water deficit on days to maturity and yield development of three recently developed rainfed rice varieties that is, New Rice for Africa (NERICA coded as N2, N4 and N11) with a view of establishing the most drought tolerant rice variety that can be grown under rainfed conditions in Kenya. This study was carried out in the University Botanic Garden, Maseno during 2005-2006. Plants were subjected to water deficit treatments in the green house a factorial set up. The seeds of the three NERICA cultivars of rice were planted in 20 Litre …