EFFECT OF POULTRY MANURE AND WEED CONTROL METHODS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF THREE GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogaea L.) VARIETIES AT SAMARU, ZARIA

Transcription

1 EFFECT OF POULTRY MANURE AND WEED CONTROL METHODS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF THREE GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogaea L.) VARIETIES AT SAMARU, ZARIA ABSTRACT Ibrahim 1, U., Mukhtar 2, A. A., Babaji 2, B. A. and Adepke 2, D. I. 1 College of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria *ibrusman2007@yahoo.com Department of Agronomy, Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Field trials were conducted at Teaching and Research farm of Samaru College of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria located in the Northern Guinea Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria during the 2012 and 2013 rainy seasons. The treatments consisted of three varieties of groundnut (SAMNUT 23, SAMNUT 22 and SAMNUT 11), three levels of poultry manure (0, 1.5 and 3 tonnes per hectare) and five weed control methods which included three levels of post emergence herbicide which are (54g a.i.ha -1, 108g a.i ha -1 and 162g a.i ha -1 of Haloxyfop-R-, weedy check, and two hoe weeding at 3 and 6 WAS). The treatments were laid out in a split- plot design with factorial combination of the weed control methods and poultry manure occupying the main plot while the varieties was allocated to the subplots. The results from the study revealed that the application of 3.0 tonnes ha -1 of poultry manure significantly increased growth parameters such as plant height; number of branches, canopy spread while days to 50% flowering was reduced by the application of 1.5 tonnes ha -1 poultry manure. Application of poultry manure increased number of pods plant -1, pod weight plant -1 pod yield ha -1 and haulm yield ha -1. However a further increased from of 1.5 tonnes ha -1 to 3.0 tonnes ha -1 resulted to significant decrease in these yield characters, while application of 3.0 tonnes ha -1 of poultry manure resulted in significant haulms production. Among the evaluated weed control methods two hoe weeding gave the best result in all the parameters measured which was followed by the application of 162g a.i ha- of Haloxyfop-R-. Growth characters such as plant height, number of branches canopy spreads were improved when two hoe weeding was employed, while days to 50% flowering was significantly reduced by two hoe weeding. Yield and yield characters such as number of pods plant -1, pod weight plant -1 pod yield ha -1 and haulm yield ha -1 were significantly increased by two hoe weeding. SAMNUT 11 produced the highest plant height, canopy spread, number of branches and days to 50% flowering. Similarly, yield and yield characters such as such as number of pods plant -1, pod weight plant -1 pod yield ha -1 and haulm yield ha -1 were highest in SAMNUT 11. From the results of these trials it can be concluded that application of 1.5tonnes ha -1 of poultry manure, two hoe weeding and use of SAMNUT 11 will boost groundnut production but in the absence of labour for hoe weeding the use of 162 g a.i. ha -1 Haloxyfop R can be use to replace two hoe weeding for the control of weed. Keywords: poultry manure, weed control, growth, yield groundnut INTRODUCTION Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the most important oil crops in the world. Groundnut plays an important role in the diets of rural populations, particularly children, because of its high contents of protein and carbohydrate. It is also rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin E. Groundnut meal, a byproduct of oil extraction, is an important ingredient in livestock feed (Mukhtar, 2009). The production of groundnut is concentrated in Asia and Africa, where the crop is grown mostly by smallholder farmers under rainfed conditions with limited inputs. Groundnut pod yields from farmers field are low, averaging about 1000 kg ha -1, about one-third the potential yield of 3000 kg ha -1. This large gap between actual and potential yields and low profitability is due to several factors, including non-availability of seeds of improved varieties for a particular ecology, poor soil fertility, inappropriate crop management practices, pests and diseases (El-Naim and Ahmed, 2010). The use of organic manure is on the increase because of scarcity and high cost of chemical fertilizer making it unaffordable to most peasant farmers. Furthermore, the increasing concern about the effects of chemical fertilizers on the environment makes organic manure a safer and better alternative. Poultry manure is an excellent source of organic manure, as it contains high nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and other essential nutrients. To obtain maximum economic value of plant nutrients in poultry manure, it should be applied according to crops nutrient requirement (Mitchell and Donald, 2012). Effective weed control method is essential for profitable groundnut production. Weeds compete for moisture, nutrients and light during the growing season there by lowering the quality and quantity of the crop. Weeds are the cause of yield reduction problems in groundnut production worldwide. According to Akobundu (1987) yield may account for 30 to 40 percent of potential yield losses. Of great concern is the fact that groundnut cannot compete effectively with weeds particularly at 3-6 weeks after sowing due to slow initial growth. Therefore, early removal of weeds is important in groundnut. Once flowering and pegging begin it is advisable to weed carefully so as to prevent the disturbance of any developing pods. Hoe weeding is still by far the most widely and predominant method of weed control in groundnut production NJAFE VOL. 10 No. 2,

2 throughout the tropics because of the perceived prohibitive cost of herbicides, fear of its toxic residue and the lack of appropriate knowledge of their use (El Naim and Ahmed, 2010). Hoe weeding is however expensive, labour intensive and constrained by scarcity of labourers particularly at the peak of the planting season. It may not be effective in reducing yield loss because hoe weeding may damage pegs and roots and reduce crop yield. With rapid industrialization and urbanization, human labour is rapidly becoming scarce and expensive for commercial farming. Thus, herbicides may prove as the most effective means of weed management in groundnut production. With proper selection of suitable herbicides, chemical weed management may be cheaper and safer in groundnut production. The use of post emergence herbicide for groundnut is not yet popular in the study area. Approximately % of the farmers use hoe weeding, animal traction and heavy machines in weed control (Ibrahim et al., 2013). Improved seed is a necessary vehicle for achieving high groundnut yields among the farming community. Use of appropriate varieties for a particular ecology is very vital in groundnut production. With the introduction of improved varieties, both groundnut growing area and productivity in the world has increased from 142,000 ha and 1.55 t ha -1 in 2002 to 186,000 ha and 1.77 t ha -1 in 2005 respectively (ICRISAT, 2011). Farmers using improved varieties have derived significant yield gains of 23%, 43% and 31% over local varieties in Mali, Niger and Nigeria, respectively (ICRISAT, 2011). In Nigeria the establishment of oil mills and poultry farms, which consume a great bulk of the crop is on increase. There is also the plan by Government to relocate the African Groundnut Council to Kano in Nigeria so that the country can return to its position among the leading producing countries in the world, therefore reducing the country dependence on crude oil exportation. The success of these will depend on the availability of economically efficient improved seed for each locality in the groundnut production area, efficient weed control methods and application of available, affordable and environmentally safe fertilizer like the poultry manure. This study was therefore conducted to study the effect of poultry manure and weed control methods on growth and yield of three groundnuts varieties at Samaru, Zaria. MATERIAL AND METHODS Field trials were conducted at Teaching and Research farm of Samaru College of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (11 11' N Latitude, 07 38' E Longitude, and 686 meters above sea level) located in the Northern Guinea Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria during the 2012 and 2013 rainy seasons. The treatments consisted of three varieties of groundnut (SAMNUT 23, SAMNUT 22 and SAMNUT 11), three levels of poultry manure (0, 1.5 and 3 tonnes per hectare) and five weed control methods which included three levels of post emergence herbicide which are (54g a.i.ha -1, 108g a.i ha -1 and 162g a.i ha -1 of Haloxyfop-R-, weedy check, and two hoe weeding at 3 and 6 WAS). The treatments were laid out in a split plot design with factorial combination of the weed control methods and poultry manure occupying the main plot while the varieties was allocated to the subplots. The land was harrowed twice and ridged to obtain a fine tilth. It was then marked out into 45 plots with 1.0m spacing between blocks and 0.5m spacing between plots. The treatments were replicated three times throughout the period of experimentation. The gross and net plot sizes were 18.0 m 2 (4.5 x 4) m and 6.0 m 2 (1.5 x 4) m respectively. There were 6 ridges in gross plot and 2 ridges in net plot. Poultry manure was applied three weeks before planting. It was uniformly spread on the ridge and lightly worked into soils with hoe. The seeds were sown on 4 th July in 2012 and 4 th June 2013 rainy seasons. The groundnut seed was sown at a spacing of 75cm x 23cm. One seed was sown per hole. Haloxyfop R- Methyl ester was applied at 3 WAS. Assessment of vegetative characters was done at 12 WAS. Five plants were randomly selected and tagged in each plot for sampling. Plant height was measured in situ using a meter rule from the ground level to the terminal leaflet. Number of branches per plant was obtained by physical counting of the total number of branches of five tagged plants and the mean obtained. Canopy spread was measured by taking the diameter of the open canopy length and breadth wise using a meter rule and the mean obtained. Days to 50% flowering were recorded by regular observation and counting the days from the time of sowing to when 50% of the plants in each plot flower. Assessment of yield component was carried out at harvest. Number of pods per plant was determined by counting the total number of pods from the five randomly selected plants in each plot, and mean number per plant was computed. Weight of pods per plant was determined by measuring the weight of the entire pods from the five randomly selected plants in each plot using E2000 electronic mettler balance and the mean weight per plant computed. The pod yield per net plot was computed on and converted to per hectare. The haulm left after detaching the groundnut pods was air dried for seven days until constant weight was attained. The haulm yield per net plot weighed was extrapolated to per hectare and recorded. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using general linear model GLM of the Statistical Analysis System package (SAS, 2003) and the means were separated using Duncan s Multiple Range Test (Duncan, 1955). All statistical procedures were done as described by Gomez and Gomez (1984). NJAFE VOL. 10 No. 2,

3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION From the analysis carried out, poultry manure contained all the macronutrients and micronutrient that are essential for groundnut growth and development as shown in Table 1. Similarly, Table 2 shows the soil physio-chemical characteristic of the study area which indicated a moderate fertile soil. Application of 3.0 tonnes ha -1 poultry manure resulted to significant increase in vegetative characters such as plant height, canopy spread, number of branches, and reduction in days to flowering as shown in Table 3. This may be due to the fact that the principal nutrients in poultry manure such as Nitrogen is associated with higher photosynthetic activities, vigorous growth and dark green leaves. Application of poultry manure resulted to increased number of pods, pod weight, pod yield and haulm yield, however a further increase from 1.5 tonnes ha -1 to 3.0 tonnes ha -1 resulted to significant decrease in these yield characters except haulm yield which increased with increasing application of poultry manure (Table 4).This is because excessive application of nitrogen and potassium often results in excessive vegetative growth at the expense of reproductive stage. The significant effect of weed control methods as evident in the poor performance in the weedy check with respect to vegetative characters and the yield character could be attributed to the effect of weeds resulting from interference and competition with the crops for moisture, nutrients, sunlight and space. Weeds lead to yield loss of crops generally and specifically groundnut as observed by (El Naim and Ahmed, 2010). They reported significant decrease in plant height, number of branches in the weedy check when compared to two hoe weeding. Similarly Weiss (1985) reported that uncontrolled weed in groundnut led to significant decrease in number of branches and pod yield and concluded that the significant difference was due to competition for light, nutrient and space to allow the groundnut to grow. The loss of yield in groundnut to weeds as opined by Rajendra and Lourdiray (1999) depends on the density and type of weed flora. The loss may range from 17-96% depending on the weed control methods. Groundnut pod yield was reduced up to 62% in a multispecies weed complex when the herbicide does not give complete control on all the species of the weeds available (Paulo et al., 2011). This further explained the significant difference between the various methods employed. The highest results obtained in two hoe weeding was due to good weed control that allows vigorous growth of the crop and develop larger vegetative parts consequently high light interception for increased dry matter. Good weed suppression allows greater efficiency in the use of the available growth and yield factors. Crops are known to perform better under good weed management (Adepke, 2005). Crop differs in their ability to assimilate photosynthate and partitioning of these assimilates to growth and yield. This difference has an effect on how efficiently water and nutrients can be utilized by the crop for production. The varieties used in this experiment exhibited consistent significant difference in their growth characters such as plant height, canopy spread, number of branches, and days to 50 % flowering (Table 3). This difference is attributed to their genetic makeup and interaction with environment (Patel et al., 2008). Stephen (2009) observed difference in the performance of four varieties of groundnut in Ghana and concluded that the large seeded varieties produced significantly higher than the small seed in both wet and dry seasons. SAMNUT 11 which is also a large seeded variety consistently resulted to highest growth characters in both seasons (Table 2). SAMNUT 23 resulted to the lowest growth character because it is morphologically classified as erect bunch with few branches that gives an open appearance. The highest haulm yield produced by SAMNUT11 as shown in Table 4 is attributed to its more profuse branching habit. The difference observed by the different varieties i.e., SAMNUT 11 produced highest yield and yield characters compared to the early maturity varieties (Table 4) which is as a result of partitioning of dry matter to pod and specifically attributable to their genetic makeup. Adequate environmental factors observed in both seasons and good crop management that enables SAMNUT 11 to exhibits its full potentials. The low performance of SAMNUT 23 may also be due to excess moisture that was experienced during the seasons. SAMNUT 23 apart from being genetically low yielding, it was bred to adapt to environments with low water supplies. Table 1: Result of poultry manure analysis used for the experiment in 2012 and 2013 wet seasons at Samaru Parameters (%) Total N P2O K2O Ca Mg Ash NJAFE VOL. 10 No. 2,

4 Table 2: Analysis of the site used for the experiment in 2012 and 2013 wet Seasons Physical properties Clay Sit Sand Textural class Sandy loamy Sandy loamy ph in water Organic Carbon (%) Total N (%) Available phosphorus (mg kg -1 ) Potassium cmol kg Magnesium cmol kg Calcium cmol kg Sodium cmol kg Effective cation exchange capacity cmol kg Table 3: Effect of poultry manure and weed control methods on some vegetative character of groundnut varieties, 12 WAS at Samaru during the 2012 and 2013 wet seasons Plant height Number branches Days to 50% flowering Canopy spread Treatments Poultry manure (tonnes ha -1 ) c 20.61c 51.13b 48.73c 38.64a 44.73a 35.55b 33.88c b 33.11b 57.39ab 58.70b 35.29c 36.82b 37.54a 45.38a a 36.40a 58.69a 69.37a 37.00b 35.29c 37.70a 37.69b S.E Weed control methods Weedy check 19.69e 20.80e a 39.79a 37.74b 36.68b 54g a.i. ha -1 Haloxyfop R 27.05d 28.54d b 39.07b 37.17b 39.28a 108g a.i. ha -1 Haloxyfop R 28.00c 29.60c c 38.75c 36.95b 38.58a 162g a.i. ha -1 Haloxyfop R 30.00b 31.40b c 38.71c 36.52b 38.99a Two hoe weeding at 3,6WAS 37.60a 39.84a c 38.43d 39.25a 38.41a S.E Varieties SAMNUT a 30.07a 59.87a 63.11a 38.00a 40.03a 38.32a 40.38a SAMNUT b 28.19b 55.29b 58.46a b 37.53a 39.54b 36.81b 38.86a b SAMNUT b 27.86b 52.04b 55.22b 35.40b 37.27c 35.66b 37.71b S.E Interactions NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS Means within a column of treatments followed by unlike letter(s) are significantly different using DMRT at 5% level of significance. NS Not Significant CONCLUSION From the results of these trials it can be concluded that application of 1.5 tons ha -1 of poultry manure, two hoe weeding and use of SAMNUT 11, will enhance groundnut production, but in the absence of labour for hoe weeding the use of 162 g a.i. ha -1 Haloxyfop R can be use to replace two hoe weeding in Samaru. REFERENCES Adekpe, D. I Effect of weed control treatments, date of planting and intra-row spacing on weed and performance of irrigate garlic (Allium sativa L.) at Kadawa, Nigeria Ph.D. Dissertation Submitted to Postgraduate School, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria pp 198 Akobundu, I. O Weed science in the tropics. Principle and practice. John Wiley and Son Ltd.Great Britian 522pp Duncan, D. B Multiple Range and Multiple F-test. Biometrics II: 1-42 El Naim, A. M. and Ahmed, S. E Effect of weeding frequencies on growth and yield of two roselle (Hibiscus Sabdariffa L.) varieties under rain fed. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 4(9): Gomez, K. A. and Gomez, A. A Statistical Procedures for Agricultural Research. An international Rice Research Institute Book. A Wiley Inter science Publication John Wiley and Sons United State of America 680 pp NJAFE VOL. 10 No. 2,

5 Ibrahim, U., Ayinde, B. T., Dauda, H. and Mukhtar, A. A Socio-Economic factors affecting groundnut production in Sabongari Local Government of Kaduna State International Journal of Food and Agricultural Economics 1(1):41-48 ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for Semi -Arid Tropic) 2011 ICRISAT Annual Report Patancheru, Andrapradesh, India ICRISAT 52pp Mitchell, C. C. and Donald, J The Value and Use of Poultry Manures as Fertilizer. Alabama cooperative extension system Circular ANR-244 (11/95). Alabama A & M and Auburn Universities Mukhtar, A. A Performance of three groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties as affected by basin size and plant population at Kadawa. Ph.D. Dissertation Submitted to post graduate school, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria pp 173 Paulo, E. M., Ksaai, E. S. and Carichioli, J. C Effect of weed completion period on peanut II. Wet season crop. Bragantia, 60, Patel, P. G., Patel, V. A., Chaudhari, P. P. and Patel, A. M Effect of different weed control methods on weed flora, growth and yield of summer groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) In: Biennial conference on weed management in modern agriculture, Emerging challenges and opportunity February, Organized by ISWS, NRCWS, Jabalpur (M.P.) and Ranjendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Bihar) p150 Rajendarn, K. and Lourduraj, A. C Weed management in groundnut : A review. Agric. Reviews, 20(1):59 Stephen, M Growth and yield performance of four groundnut varieties in response to seed size. M.Sc. Thesis submitted to the Department of Crop and Soil Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi Ghana Weiss, E.A Oil Seed Crops. Longman Inc. New York. Table 4: Effect of poultry manure and weed control methods on some yield character of groundnut varieties, 12 WAS at Samaru during the 2012 and 2013 wet seasons Number of pod Pod weight Pod yield ha -1 Haulm yield ha -1 Treatments Poultry manure (tonnes ha -1 ) b 36.50c 55.15c 52.56c 1654c 1576c 1313c 1206c a 59.00a 90.30a 80.85a 2709a 2425a 2767b 3095b a 53.77b 70.23b 73.61b 2106b 2208b 3449a 3920a S.E Weed control methods Weedy check 33.88d 35.82d 50.84d 53.83d 1530d 1614d 2677d 2824d 54g a.i. ha -1 Haloxyfop R 38.70c 40.91c 58.81c 62.22c 1782c 1816c 3218c 3378c 108g a.i. ha -1 Haloxyfop R 40.46c 42.56c 61.40c 64.64c 1850c 1984c 3237c 3472c 162g a.i. ha -1 Haloxyfop R 47.70b 50.29b 72.43b 76.42b 2253b 2287b 3742b 4002b Two hoe weeding at 3,6WAS 58.77a 62.15a 91.12a 96.31a 2438a 2623a 4266a 4590a S.E Varieties SAMNUT a 51.41a 77.01a 81.23a 2388a 2523a 4179a 4443a SAMNUT b 42.12b 67.94b 71.89b 2102b 2237b 3708b 3914b SAMNUT b 45.50b 61.62c 66.55c 2018c 2085c 3559c 3648c S.E Interactions NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS Means within a column of treatments followed by unlike letter(s) are significantly different using DMRT at 5% level of significance. NS Not Significant NJAFE VOL. 10 No. 2,