IMPACT OF DATA PROCESSING OVER MANUAL PROCESSING IN HEALTH RECORDS SYSTEM

Water stress is a major constraint to rice production in rain-fed regions of Nigeria, particularly in Gombe State where rainfall is erratic and irrigation facilities are limited. This study evaluated the effect of water stress on the growth performance of three rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties—Jamila, Dan Lado, and Mai Kwalli cultivated in Gombe State. The experiment was conducted at the Botanical Garden, Faculty of Science, Gombe State University, using a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Four watering regimes were applied at the vegetative stage: control (daily watering), and water withholding for 5, 10, and 15 days. Growth parameters assessed included plant height, leaf area, number of tillers, and biomass. The results showed that water stress significantly (p < 0.05) reduced all growth parameters, with greater reductions observed as the duration of water deficit increased. Jamila consistently recorded superior growth performance under both moderate and severe water stress, indicating higher tolerance. Dan Lado exhibited moderate tolerance, while Mai Kwalli was the most susceptible to prolonged water deficit. Biomass analysis revealed significant varietal differences in fresh shoot weight, with Jamila maintaining relatively higher values under stress conditions. The study concludes that water stress adversely affects rice growth in Gombe State, and the Jamila variety is recommended for cultivation in water-limited environments due to its better tolerance and growth performance.