African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6902

Full Length Research Paper

Cracking and breaking response in four rice varieties as influenced by fertilization regime and storage duration

Robert Kwasi Owusu
  • Robert Kwasi Owusu
  • Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, P. O. Box TL 52, Tamale, Ghana.
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Issah Sugri
  • Issah Sugri
  • Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, P. O. Box TL 52, Tamale, Ghana.
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Wilson Dogbe
  • Wilson Dogbe
  • Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, P. O. Box TL 52, Tamale, Ghana.
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Desmond Sunday Adogoba
  • Desmond Sunday Adogoba
  • Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, P. O. Box TL 52, Tamale, Ghana.
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Joseph Kugbe
  • Joseph Kugbe
  • Faculty of Agriculture, University for Development Studies, P. O. Box TL1882, Tamale, Ghana.
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  •  Received: 04 February 2020
  •  Accepted: 15 June 2020
  •  Published: 31 July 2020

Abstract

In Northern Ghana, harvesting of the bulk of paddy, which is cultivated under rain-fed conditions, coincides with the harmattan season. This season is characterized by low relative humidity and dry weather conditions which hasten drying and increase the tendency of the paddy to crack during milling. The farmers also store paddy for longer periods in anticipation of higher price in the open market, thus the paddy may deteriorate as a result of fluctuations in seasonal temperature and relative humidity. This study assessed the effects of fertilizer application regimes and storage duration on cracking and breaking during milling in 4 aromatic rice varieties. Across the varieties, grains that showed signs of cracks will eventually break during milling, and grain susceptibility to cracking significantly (P<0.05) increased when stored beyond 30 days. Gbewaa rice recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher cracking (49.2%) followed by Amankwatia (43.9%), CSIR-AGRA (40.4%) and Exbaika (40.3%). Fertilization regime of 2 basal applications and 2 topdressings at panicle initiation and booting-heading stages resulted in grains that were well-filled and thick to resist drying and cracking.

Key words: Aromatic varieties, nitrogen fertilizer, straight-milling, paddy cracking, consumer taste.