Effects of Intra-Row Spacing on Herbage Yields of Two Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Varieties in Sokoto, Semi-Arid Zone, Nigeria

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during 2009 and 2010 rainy seasons at the Dry Land Teaching and Research Farm of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto to study the effects of intra-spacing on herbage yields of two groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties in Sokoto, in the semi-arid zone of Nigeria. Treatments consisted of factorial combinations of three intra-row spacing (10, 20 and 30 cm) and two groundnut varieties (Ex-Dakar and RMP-12) laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Data was collected in respect of haulm and total dry matter yield. Results revealed that, the closest intra-row spacing (10 cm) significantly (P<0.05) produced higher herbage yield than the wider intra-row spacing (20 cm and 30 cm) Ex- Dakar was superior to RMP-12 in terms of total dry matter, while RMP-12 was superior to Ex-Dakar in terms of haulm yield. The closest intra-row spacing (10 cm) was the best for optimum herbage yield production.

Key wards: Groundnut, yield, Intra-row spacing, variety and Semi- arid.