Solar Radiation Interception, Dry Matter Production and Yield among Different Plant Densities of <i>Arachis spp</i>. in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

The production of grain legumes is becoming a popular practice in the humid south western Nigeria. Apart from the decreasing trends observed in rainfall amount and duration as a result of climate change, solar radiation interception also constitutes a limitation to crop production because of persistent cloud cover. A trial was conducted at the University of Ibadan experimental site to determine the effect of different plant densities of Arachis spp. on solar radiation interception, dry matter production and yield in Ibadan, Nigeria with the aim of ascertaining the best practice for groundnut production in the zone. The treatments were three plant spacings (60 cm × 20 cm, 75 cm × 20 cm and 75 cm × 40 cm), and three Arachis varieties (Samnut 10, Samnut 21 and Pintoi) arranged in a split plot, randomized complete block design with Arachis varieties as the main plot while plant densities formed the subplot and replicated three times. Growth parameters (number of leaves, dry leaf weight and dry stem weight) were measured at two weeks interval while yield parameters (number of pods, dry pod weight, dry seed weight and total dry matter) were determined at harvest. Intercepted radiation by plants (PAR) was also taken along with the growth parameters. The highest light interception from 42-105 days after planting (DAP) among the Arachis spp. was recorded by Samnut 10, while at 42-87 DAP, plant density of 75 cm × 20 cm had the highest light interception. Dry matter production increased with light interception and was highest at 105 DAP when light interception was between 55% and 60% for all Arachis varieties and all plant densities. In terms of pod weight and grain yield, Samnut 10 performed better than Samnut 21 and also recorded the highest Radiation Use Efficiency (RUE) for pod, seed and total dry matter. However, Arachis pintoi, a sterile and forage plant with slower growth rate served as a cover crop

Assessing Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Genotype Yields and Yield Traits with Different Planting Geometries on Broad Bed and Furrows

“…In contrast, variety K6 (V4) had the lower number of pods plant -1 at 19.8. These results align with the study by Oluwasemire et al [10], where different groundnut varieties exhibited varying pod production capacities. It's worth noting that these differences in varieties can be attributed to genetic traits and adaptability to specific environmental conditions.…”

Response of taro (Colocasia esculenyta (L.)) to variation in planting density and planting dates on growth, radiation interception, corm and cormels yield in Southern Ethiopia

“…CIPAR increased with increasing planting density whereas, dry matter production decreased against planting density. However, Oluwasemire and Odugbenro (2014) in soya bean reported that higher solar radiation intercepted increased radiation use efficiency (RUE), and dry matter production under uniform planting density. That could be due to the high competition and shading effect in high planting density.…”

Genetic exploration of variability and environmental influence on yield, components, and nutritional properties among groundnut germplasm originated from different countries for identification of potential stable donors

“…371 groundnut germplasm from diverse origins were randomly selected from early, medium, and late maturity groups (Table 1S). These germplasm collections came from Australia (1), East Africa (19), Middle Africa (5), North Africa (3), West Africa (33), South Africa (34), Europe (8), North America (48), South America (29), South Asia (127), Southeast Asia (12), East Asia (14), Middle East Asia (3), West Asia (3), and unknown origin. The Gene bank, ICAR-Directorate of Groundnut Research, in Junagadh, Gujarat, India, provided groundnut genetic resources for this research.…”