2025/01/27 by Eze, K. M., Auwalu, B. M., Manga, A. A. +2
#ground nut #mulch type #performance #variety #weed management
paper · doi:10.60787/njhs.v28i3.86-94
Field experiment was conducted during the 2020 dry season to assess the impact of mulch types on growth and yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties and also its weed suppression ability in Kano, Nigeria. The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of three groundnut varieties (SAMNUT 23, SAMNUT 24 and SAMNUT 26) and five mulch types (Control-no mulch, transparent polythene, black polythene, rice straw and saw dust) which were replicated three times in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Findings revealed that both black and transparent polythene mulches contributed to higher soil moisture, increased chlorophyll content, reduced weed infestation, increased pod and kernel yield at both locations. Varieties did not differ significantly (P>0.05) due to weed characters at both locations. However, SAMNUT 26 variety significantly produced higher canopy (38.6 cm), leaf chlorophyll content (58.9), and Leaf area index (3.1). Similarly, it also resulted higher pod and kernel yield (2.5 & 1.2 t ha-1) in comparison to other varieties at both locations. Moreover, black polythene mulch recorded the least weed cover (1.8 n/m2), weed density (9.11 nm-²) at BUK and (10.67 n m-²) at Wasai, compared to the control (unmulched) which had the highest weed invasion (4.5 n/m2) and weed density (20.44 n m-² and 22.44 n m-²) at BUK and Wasai, respectively. The study highlighted the positive response of vegetative growth, yield characters and weed suppression ability to mulch application. By using black polythene mulch and the SAMNUT 26 variety, farmers in sudan-Savanna regions can significantly enhance their production outputs. It could be recommended to farmers in the study location to adopt these practices for better productivity.