Effects of different planting methods on performance of New Rice for Africa (NERICA) in Kerio Valley and Marigat, Kenya

The New Rice for Africa (NERICA) which was developed to solve the food crisis has been adopted by farmers in Kenya. Attempts have been made to choose methods of planting for NERICA production but their effectiveness has not been well understood. The experiment was carried out in one season in two sites; Kerio Valley in Elgeyo-Marakwet County and Marigat in Baringo County, from September 2013 to January 2014. The two areas are classified as Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASAL’s). The objective was to investigate the effects of different planting methods on performance of NERICA varieties. Drilling and broadcasting methods were used to evaluate their effects on NERICA 4 and NERICA 11. The trial was a 2 x 2 factorial experiment laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) during the short rains season of 2013 with supplemented irrigation. The treatments were replicated in 3 blocks and each plot measured 4 m x 3 m. The parameters measured included plant height, number of productive tillers/hill, number of panicles/tiller, 1000-grain weight and the grain yield. The data obtained was subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the means of effects were separated using Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) test. The results indicated that drilling method and NERICA 11 yielded significantly better performance than broadcasting and NERICA 4 respectively. This study, therefore, recommends drilling method of planting and NERICA 11 for Kerio Valley and Marigat, Kenya. This will enhance food and nutrition security and improve livelihoods in the two areas and other ASAL’s.