Performance of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Varieties in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study evaluated the growth and yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as affected by varieties in dry land farm of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto state during 2018 cropping season. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of variety on growth and growth components as well as yield and yield components of groundnut. The treatments comprised of six (6) varieties of groundnut. Four are improved varieties (Samnut23, Samnut24, Samnut25 and Samnut26) and two local varieties (Bahausa, and Yarmadani) and were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. Data on growth and yield parameters such as stand count, plant height, canopy spread, 50% flowering, Days to maturity, pod yield, grain yield, 100-seed weight, harvest index and haulm yield were taken and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSSv22) software. Results of the analysis indicated that varieties differed significantly on growth and yield except for stand count at 3WAS. Samnut 24 recorded the highest mean stand count before harvest and highest mean pod yield while Samnut 25 recorded the highest canopy spread, least days to maturity and highest grain yield. Bahausa recorded the highest mean haulm yield and thus, the study concluded that Bahausa has the highest haulm yield per hectare with yield of 2166.7kg/ha and Samnut 25 possess highest grain yield of 117.80 kg/ha. It is therefore recommended that appropriate variety should be sown in the study area based on the interest of the farmer whether for grain or for haulm.