Effects of groundnut spacing on yield and weed control in the rainforest agro-ecological zone of Nigeria

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted at the teaching and research farm, Department of Agricultural Science, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, to determine the effect of spacing on growth, yield and weed control in groundnut. The spacings were 25 x 25 cm, 50 x 25 cm, 50 x 50 cm and 100 x 50 cm replicated three times and arranged in a completely randomized design. Result showed that groundnuts spaced at 25 x 25 cm had the tallest plant, highest growth rate and leaf area. Number of flowers increased with spacing until 50 x 50 cm and declined thereafter. Same trend was observed for seed weight or yield per experimental plot. However, when yield was converted to per hectare basis groundnut yield per hectare reduced as planting distance increased. Weed infestation increased with planting distance, groundnut spaced at 100 x 50 cm had 10 times more weed density than those spaced at 25 x 25 cm. Spacing at 25 x 25 cm is recommended for effective weed control and optimum yield in groundnut production in the Southern rainforest region.

Key words: Groundnut, spacing, weed control, yield, Rainforest agro ecological zone