Growth and yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as affected by intra-row spacing and irrigation interval in Sudan Savannah Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

Field trials were conducted at two locations during the 2019/2020 dry season to investigate the response of groundnut varieties as affected by intra-row spacing and irrigation interval on growth and yield at Teaching and Research Farm of Federal University Dutsin-Ma and Kugado site. Treatments consisted of three varieties of groundnut (SAMNUT 24, SAMNUT 25 and SAMNUT 26), 3 intra-row spacing (15, 20 and 25cm) and three irrigation intervals (3, 6 and 9days). The treatments were factorized and laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. Results from the study revealed that groundnut variety had significant (P≤0.05) effect on growth and yield parameters at the two locations. SAMNUT 24 significantly (P≤0.05) outperformed SAMNUT 26 and SAMNUT 25 respectively in terms of number of leaves per plant, number of days to 50% flowering and kernel weight of (14.87 and 10.67 g) per plant at the two locations. Intra-row spacing of 15cm significantly (P≤0.05) outperformed 20 and 25cm on days to 50% flowering, number of leaves at 3 WAS at Kugado and kernel yield of (11.3 g) per plant at Badole . Irrigation interval of 6days on Kernel weight of (14.69 and 11.10 g) per plant recorded a significant (P≤0.05) effect at the two locations. However, 3days irrigation interval of (46.93 g) also recorded a significant effect on total dry matter at Badole . The study revealed that SAMNUT 24, intra-row spacing of 15cm, and 3days on yield parameters at Badole a nd 6days irrigation interval at Kugado proved to be most appropriate .