Nitrogen use efficiency by selected NERICA varieties in Burkina Faso

A field experiment was carried out in the 2005 and 2006 wet seasons in Bagré, Burkina Faso, to assess the differences in paddy yield and nitrogen (N) utilization of the New Rice for Africa (NERICA) lowland varieties. The test consists of a split-plot design with four replications. The main plots were represented by four NERICAs (NERICA L 41, NERICA L 60, NERICA L 20, and NERICA L 19) and one control (4418). Subplots were constituted with five rates of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg N ha-1). Significant differences (P<0.001) among varieties were observed in paddy yield and nitrogen uptake. Without nitrogen application (0N), NERICAs insure a good grain yield compared to the control (4418). The N-use efficient varieties that produced high paddy yield at both low and high levels of N were NERICA L 41, NERICA L 20 and NERICA L 19. NERICA L 60 that is not significantly different to the control (4418) appears less efficient as compared to the three other NERICAs.