Phosphorus Rates, Intra-Rowing Spacing and Variety of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranean (L.) Verdc) in Makurdi Ecological Zone

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in 2012and 2013 at the teaching and research farm of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria to determine growth and yield components of Bambara groundnut as influenced by phosphorus rates, intra-row spacing and variety of Bambara groundnut in Southern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria. Treatment consists of factorial combinations of two varieties (Petegi Black and Ogoja White), three levels of phosphorus (0, 20 and 40 kg/ha) and three intra-row spacing (10, 20 and 30 cm) replicated three times. This was laid out in a Factorial randomized Complete Block Design to test the interaction of three factors (variety of Bambara nut, P-level and intra-row spacing). The results of variety, intra-row spacing and p-level applications revealed a significantly (p< 0.05) higher pods/plant, pod weight and harvest index in Pategi Black in a spacing of 30 cm and 40 kg/ha was applied gave (618.7 and 631.5 kg/ha). While Ogoja White recorded a significantly (p<0.05) higher plant height, stover yield (606.0 and 615.2 kg/ha), days of 50% flowering, days of 50% maturity and shelling percentage at intra-row spacing 20 cm and 20 kg/ha across the two cropping seasons. Further growth and yield increment could be obtained by testing p-level above 40 kg /ha.