Performance Evaluation of Upland Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Genotypes in Three Agro-Ecological Zones Of Rwanda

Abstract

The rice crop has wide environmental adaptation, ranging from upland, deep, intermediate, and shallow water rice. In Rwanda, rice is almost produced in the lowland ecosystem. There has been no reported attempt done on upland rice before this report. That is why this study was conducted to identify rice genotypes that can be adapted in various agro-ecological sites of this study. The study was conducted in three sites namely Rulindo, Rugende, and Rubona in Rwanda. The field trial was laid in randomized complete block design with three replications. All three trials were conducted from January 2022 up to 2023 wherein ten upland varieties were used. According to the growth and yield results obtained from three different agro-ecological sites, the CAVM5 genotype showed high performance on different parameters such as plant height (94.6cm), number of tillers per plant (23), and grain yield (3345.5kgha^-1) compared to the rest of genotypes. Performance evaluation of rice genotypes according to their suitable environment is an important aspect of rice production and this can contribute to the food security of Rwanda as Rice is one of the major food crops to be consumed in both rural and urban areas of the country. The results obtained from this long-term research will help researchers to breed for drought/cold tolerant & high yielding genotypes, high quality and nutrition upland rice in Rwanda.