Weeding Regime Effect on Weed Growth and Yield of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Varieties in a Moist Savanna of Nigeria

Abstract

The effect of weeding regime and groundnut varieties on weed growth and groundnut yield were investigated at Minna, Nigeria in 2015 and 2016 rainy seasons. The treatments consisted of three groundnut varieties (SAMNUT 21, SAMNUT 22, SAMNUT 24) and three weeding regimes (weedy check, one hoe weeding and two hoe weeding) in a factorial arrangement laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Result clearly showed that the dominant weed species identified among the groundnut varieties were Tridax procumbens Linn., Vernonia galamensis (Cass.) Less., Euphorbia heterophylla Linn., Desmodium scorpiurus (Sw.) Desv.and Spigelia anthelmia Linn. Across weeding regimes, early maturing SAMNUT 24 had more p ods per plant and higher kernel yield in 2015, while medium maturing SAMNUT 21 and SAMNUT 22 varieties had greater kernel yield in 2016. Generally, SAMNUT 21 produced heavier kernels than other varieties evaluated. Irrespective of the varieties, one hoe weeding at 3 WAS, and two hoe weeding at 3 and 6 WAS gave better weed control, more pods, heavier kernels and higher kernel yield of groundnut when compared with weedy check. This study suggests that depending on the growing conditions, sustainable weed control and productivity of groundnut can be achieved with these varieties together with one or two hoe weeding, in the moist savanna agro-ecology of Nigeria.