Effect of Planting Date on Growth and Yield of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subtermnea (L) Verdc.) Varieties in Rainforest Zone of Delta State

Abstract

The effect of planting date on growth and yield of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subteranea (L) verdc) varieties was carried out in Asaba area of Delta State. It was aimed to determine the most appropriate planting date for the growth and yield of Bambara groundnut in the rainforest zone of Delta State. The design for this experiment was split-plot carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design. Bambara varieties EXMF1, EXMF4, IITA165, and ENZK2 were used with planting date May -September. The main plot was assigned to variety while the sub -plot was the planting date with three replicates. Plants cultivated in May and June performed better in growth (plant height, canopy width, number of leaves and total leaf area) than those planted in July, August and September. In yield, those plants cultivated in July had the highest yield with the value of 4289kg/ha with variety EXMF4 performing best. The study therefore recommended that variety EXMF4 should be planted by farmers and month of July is the appropriate time for planting Bambara groundnut in the rainforest zone for maximum productivity. Contribution/Originality:This study is one of the very few studies which have investigated on planting date of Bambara groundnut. The paper's primary contribution is finding that month of July is most suitable in planting of Bambara groundnut in the area.