Abstract
An experiment was conducted at teaching and research farm of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, during the dry and rainy seasons of 2016 to evaluate the effect of variety and phosphorus fertilization on the growth and yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The treatment consisted of two groundnut varieties (Samnut 24 and Samnut 25), two levels of phosphorus fertilizer (25kg and 50kg/ha) and a control, factorially combined to give six treatment combinations. These treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Data were collected on the plant height, number of leaves, 100-grain weight and grain yield. All data collected were subjected Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and DMRT was adopted in separating the means. The result of the experiment showed that, there is a significant difference (P = 0.05) in both seasons on all the parameters observed. The results further indicated that, application of 25 kg P/ha produced statistically (P = 0.05) similar result with 50 kg P/ha, however the two treatments were better than the control. On varieties, Samnut 25 proved to be significantly (P = 0.05) better than Samnut 24 on most of the parameters observed. Based on the result of these findings, application of 25 kg P/ha to Samnut 25 can be adopted by farmers for profitable groundnut production in the study area.
Highlights
Groundnuts (Arachis hypogeae L.) is one of the most important members of the family fabaceae and the sub family Papilionaceae, which originated in the South America (Southern Bolivia/Northwest Argentina region) where it was cultivated as early as 1000BC
The significant difference observed in this study indicated the importance of phosphorous application in promoting plant height of groundnut
The result of this study showed that there exists a statistical (P=0.05) difference in both the seasons on all the treatments used with regards to yield of groundnut
Summary
Groundnuts (Arachis hypogeae L.) is one of the most important members of the family fabaceae and the sub family Papilionaceae, which originated in the South America (Southern Bolivia/Northwest Argentina region) where it was cultivated as early as 1000BC. In Nigeria, it is the most important oil seed crop produced for both export and domestic use. Farmers rarely apply phosphorus to leguminous plant because of their believed that groundnut can do without fertilizer and lack of information on appropriate nutritional requirement under Nigerian soil [7]. Released varieties (Samnut 24, Samnut 25 and Samnut 26) in Nigeria are resistant/tolerant to most important diseases and are early maturing to escape drought. These varieties are being promoted in the dry savanna region of Nigeria through several initiatives. This study was carried out to determine the best variety and the most effective rate of phosphorus fertilizer on the growth and yield of groundnut in both dry and rainy seasons
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
