Influence of Intra-annual Croping Seasons on Rice Yield in the Sahel

Abstract

Rice is a staple food in the Sahel countries. However, the crop production does not match population growth and demand. Hence, it is important to enhance rice yield to meet the demand. Achieving greater yields depends on increasing total crop biomass, because there is little scope to further increase the proportion of that biomass allocated to grain. Total crop biomass is determined mainly by crop photosynthesis and respiration losses, both of which are sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature. Rice cultivation in Niger is practiced during two cropping seasons yearly. Climate parameters change radically through the year across cropping seasons. The aim of this study was to assess intra-annual variation impact on rice genotypes productivity. Hence, 35 breeding lines were evaluated during two cropping seasons in an alpha lattice design with three replications. The results showed that the two cropping seasons were significantly different mega-environments. The mega-environments impacted significantly and differently genotypes performances. Some genotypes performed well in wet season while others did in dry season. The ideal genotype across cropping season was the genotype1. Both cropping seasons were ideal for some genotypes. But none of them was for all the genotypes. To increase the yield and production each genotype should be cultivated during the ideal cropping season.