Effects of multilocation on intra-row spacing and nitrogen rate on growth and yield of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) in North Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in 2015 rainy season at Teaching and Research Farms of Department of Crop Production and Horticulture, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola and Department of Crop Science, Taraba State College of Agriculture, Jalingo to investigate the effect of multilocation on intra-row spacing and nitrogen rates on the growth and yield of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean (L.) Verdc) in Northern Nigeria. The experiments were laid out in split-plot design with three replications and three nitrogen rate, 20, 25 and 30 kgNha-1 as main plot treatment while four intra-row spacing, 20, 25, 30 and 35 cm as the sub plot treatment. The sub plot size was 3 m x 2 m (6 m2). The nitrogen rate doses were applied a week after emergence of the seedlings. Data collected were, percentage seedlings emergence, number of leaves per plant, number of branches plant, plant height, number of nodules per plant, number of effective nodules per plant, number of non-effective nodules per plant, days to 50% flowering, days to 95% maturity, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, 100 seeds weight, grain yield per plot and grain yield per ha. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD). The results showed that nitrogen rate applied had no significant influence on growth and yield characters in both trial locations. However, significant influence was recorded of intra-row spacing on number of leaves per plant and number of branches per plant at 6 WAS at Jalingo trial location with the mean values of 48.24 at 35 cm and 16.80 at 35 cm respectively. Intra-row spacing, 25 cm gave the highest mean number (3.14) of non-effective nodules per plant at 30 DAS at Yola trial location while at Jalingo, 25 cm gave the highest number of days to 50% flowering. The result of the interaction revealed that there were significant interaction between Nitrogen rates and intra-row spacing on the number of leaves at 3 WAS at Jalingo location, 6 WAS at both locations, number of nodules and number of non-effective nodules at 30 DAS at Yola trial location. It is recommended that nitrogen rate of 20 kgNha-1 and intra-row spacing of 35 cm be adopted in the study areas for higher yield to the farmers.