Growth Component of Lowland Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Varieties as Influenced by Planting Method and Fertilizer Management in Nigeria Sudan Savanna

Field trial was conducted at the Gadau Village, Itas-Gadau Local Government Area of Bauchi State (11⁰ 50’, 4.79” N,) (10⁰ 10’ 1.20” E), in the Sudan Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria, during the 2022 dry season, to determine, growth components of lowland rice (oryza sativa L.) varieties as influenced by planting method and fertilizer management in Nigeria sudan Savanna. The treatments consisted of two lowland varieties (FARO 44, and FARO 52), five rates of combined NPK and poultry manure fertilizers (0tha^-1 of poultry manure plus 120:60:60 kg NPK ha^-1, 60:30:30 kg NPKha^-1plus poultry manure 5tha^-1, No NPK plus 10tha^-1 , 30:15:15 kg NPKha^-1 plus poultry manure 10tha^-1 and 0 kg NPKha^-1 plus poultry manure 0tha^-1), and three planting method (dibbling, drilling and broadcasting). The treatments was factorially combined and laid out in a split plot design with fertilizer rate and planting methods as main plot and lowland rice varieties as sub plot. Gross plot size will be 3.0m x 4.0m (12m²) and net plot size of 2m x3m (6m²) respectively. The results revealed that FARO 52 performed better on plant height, number of tillers at 9WAS. Drilling planting method performed better on plant height, leaf area index at 3, 6 and 9WAS, total dry weight at 3 and 6WAS, crop growth rate at 6AWS, relative growth rate at 6WAS, net assimilation rate at 6AWS, grain yield and NPK and Poultry Manure Mixture  on growth and yield of lowland rice, 120:60:60 NPK and  30:15:15 NPK + 10tha^-1PM were performed better on plant height, leaf area index, total dry weight, crop growth rate, number of tillers at 9WAS, grain yield. Based on the research finding it was concluded that FARO 52 variety, drilling planting method and 120:60:60 NPK and 30:15:15 NPK + 10tha^-1 PM performed better in almost all the growth and yield components of lowland rice at Gadau.