EFFECT OF DIFFERENT PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZATION AND SOWING DATES ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF LABLAB (Lablab purpureus L. walp) VARIETIES IN SEMI-ARID ECOLOGICAL ZONE OF RINGIM, JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Field trials were conducted at the Jigawa state Horticultural Farm during 2019, 2020 and 2021 wet seasons to investigate the effect of phosphorus levels and sowing date on the growth and yield of lablab varieties (Dan Farankachi and Dan Inusa). The treatments consisted of four levels of phosphorus (0, 20, 40 and 60 kgPha-1) in the form of single superphosphate and three sowing dates 1st July (S1), 15th July (S2) and 29th July (S3), laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Data were collected on canopy height, number of branches, leaf area index and pod yield per hectare. The results showed that application of 60 kgPha-1 and 40 kgPha-1 resulted to highest growth in terms of canopy height at 4WAS and 8WAS in 2019, 2021 wet season and 2020 wet season and combined, respectively, sowing three had taller plants at 4WAS, and highly significant (P≤0.01) varietal differences at 12WAS in 2020 and 2021 wet seasons, variety was highly significant (P≤0.01) at 12 WAS in 2020 wet season and combined. The results showed that application of 60 kgPha-1 at 4WAS and 12WAS were highly significant (P≤0.01), and sowing three resulted to highest number of branches per plant at 4WAS. It was further reported that, leaf area index were highly significant (P≤0.01) interns of phosphorus application and sowing dates at 4 and 12WAS, pod yield was also highly significant (P≤0.01) in all the seasons. Based on the result of this study, it could be concluded that application of 60 kg P/ha, Dan Inusa and sowing date of 29th July could be adopted by farmers for better yield of lablab in the study area, hence recommended for better yield.