Optimization of Groundnut Crop Management Practicesin Somali Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

To study the response of groundnut to different crop management practice six different crop management practices tested in three districts namely Godey, Gursum and Erer of Eastern Ethiopia. Treatments wereT<sub>1</sub> (Spacing 60 x 30 cm, P @ 80 kg/ha and twice weeding @ 15<sup>th</sup> and 30<sup>th</sup> DAE), T<sub>2</sub> (75 x 20 cm, P@ 60 kg/ha three times mechanical weeding), T<sub>3</sub> (Spacing 45 x 15 cm, 50 and 85 kg/ha twice weeding, T<sub>4</sub>(Spacing at 75 x 30 cm, N and P applied @ the rate of 46 and 90 kg/ha respectively and hand weeding once @ 25<sup>th</sup> DAE), T<sub>5</sub> (Spacing 30 × 10 cm, FYM @ 12 ton/ha, N and P applied @ the rate of 25 and 46 kg/ha respectively and mechanical weeding @ 28 DAE). T<sub>6</sub>(Spacing 30x 15cm, N and P applied at the rate of 80 and 130 kg/ha respectively, twice weeding and earthling up). Then the treatments were arranged in RCBD. Analysis of variance showed that there were statistically significant differences between each treatment across the locations on growth and seed yield of groundnut at (p<0.05). Maximum seed yield was obtained from T<sub>6</sub> followed by T<sub>5</sub> and T<sub>3</sub>. Wider spacing and minimum use of P without N fertilizer at (T<sub>1</sub> and T<sub>2</sub>) resulted in significantly low seed yield. T<sub>5 </sub>resulted in robust plant growth however; it resulted in reduced yield and yield components compared toT<sub>6</sub>. Groundnut seed yield was remarkably influenced by proper combinations of crop management components as specified in T<sub>6</sub>. Therefore, T<sub>6</sub> can be recommended as an integrated crop management practice for groundnut to current study areas and other similar lowland districts of eastern Ethiopia.