EFFECT OF SOWING DATE, FERTILIZER LEVEL AND INTRA-ROW SPACING ON THE AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS AND YIELD OF BAMBARA GROUNDNUT (Viqna subterranea L. Verdcourt)
EFFECT OF SOWING DATE, FERTILIZER LEVEL AND INTRA-ROW SPACING ON THE AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS AND YIELD OF BAMBARA GROUNDNUT (Viqna subterranea L. Verdcourt)
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Date
1996-02
Authors
Balarabe, TANIMU
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Abstract
Field experiments were conducted during the 1986 -
90 rainy seasons at Samaru (11° 11' N; 07° 38'E) to study
the effects of sowing date, fertilizer level and intrarow
spacing on the agronomic characters and yield of two
bambara groundnut varieties. Two separate experiments
were conducted in each year. In the first experiment,
the effect of fertilizer nutrients (0 and 20kg N/ha; 0,
25 and 50kg K/ha and 0, 11, 22 and 33kg P/ha) was
evaluated while the second experiment involved the
determination of the best sowing date and the optimum
intra-row spacing using two varieties (Pategi-Black and
Giwa-White). The earlier experiment was conducted for
five years (1986-1990) and the later for four years
(1987-1990). The investigation revealed that the
application of a starter dose of 20kg N/ha was not
essential even on soils with low nitrogen levels (less
than 0.05% total N) such as the ones used in this trial.
The application of ll-22kg P/ha was found to enhance
the performance of the crop significantly and the
application of 25kg K/ha also increased the yields of
the crop. Grain yields were maximum at 13kg P/ha and
27kg K/ha.
Planting early (in June) resulted in higher yields
than late planting (July-August) provided adequate
protection against weeds, pests and diseases is given to
the crop. Closely planted bambara groundnuts (5-10cm
between stands on ridges 75cm apart) gave higher yields.
The Pategi-Black variety yield significantly higher
grains than the adapted local variety (Giwa-White).
Plant height, plant foliage spread, 100-grain weight and
shelling percentage were significantly positively
correlated with grain yield in most years. However, the
direct contribution of the shelling percentage to the
grain yield was negative in all the years. Good
management, especially adequate protection of the crop
from weeds, pests and diseases is essential for the
production of this crop in Samaru given the small stature
of the crop which makes it prone to mechanical damage
and/or infection.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Postgraduate
School, Ahmadu Bello University in partial
fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree
of Doctor of Philosophy in Agronomy
DEPARTMENT OF AGRONOMY
FACULTY OF AGRICTULCURE
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY
ZARIA, NIGERIA
•FEBRUARY, 1996
Keywords
EFFECT,, SOWING,, DATE,, FERTILIZER,, LEVEL,, INTRA-ROW,, SPACING,, AGRONOMIC,, CHARACTERS,, YIELD,, BAMBARA,, GROUNDNUT,, (Viqna subterranea L. Verdcourt).