Performance of eleven introduced improved lowland rice varieties in the northern Savanna zones of Ghana

From 2007 to 2010, we evaluated eleven introduced improved rice materials, mainly lowland NERICAs and Thailand varieties for yield and other farmers’ preferred agronomic traits compared to Gbewaa (aromatic local check) and Digang (non aromatic local check). The trials, each year, were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Designed (RCBD) with four replicates at two locations (Nyankpala and Salaga) in Northern Region, Ghana. Six cultivars namely, WAS 163-B-5-3, WAS 122-13-WAS-10-WAR, L2-4, PERFUME IRRIGATED, LONG GRAIN ORDINARY 2 and EXBAICA yielded significantly higher (p<0.5) with mean yield advantage range of 21 to 73% over Gbewaa, 16 to 66% over Digang, adapted to the target environment and tolerant to the major biotic stresses. These materials include two aromatic varieties which could serve as substitutes for Gbewaa (the market aromatic quality) and give farmers a choice to meet the existing market demand for aromatic rice.   Key words: Rice evaluation, Savanna agro ecologies of Ghana, NERICAs, improved varieties.