Response of Groundnut to Plant Density and Phosphorous Application in the Sudan Savanna Zone of Nigeria

Despite the recent release of several improved varieties of groundnut in Nigeria the productivities have not increase significantly due to lack of commensurate recommendation in agronomic practices. Two groundnut varieties were evaluated for their response to different plant density and phosphorus application in two locations in the Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria in 2012 and 2013. The groundnut were planted at density of 44444, 66667, and 133333 hills ha-1 with average of two plants per hill. Phosphorus was applied at rate of 0 or 20 kg P ha-1. P fertilizer application increased pod and haulm yields by 26% and 16% respectively in Minjibir. It increased pod and haulm yields by 62% and 27% respectively in Wudil. Pod and haulm yields, harvest index, revenue, profit and cost benefit ratio increased with increasing plant density. Samnut-24 produced pod yields that were significantly higher than Samnut-22 across treatments. Pod yields at density of 133,333 hills ha-1 was 31% higher than at 66667 and 40% than at 44,444 hills ha-1. Application of fertilizer increased profit by 22% and 49% in Minjibir and Wudil respectively. Planting at density of 133,333 hill ha-1 increased profit by 19% and 27% over 66,667 and 444444 hill ha-1 respectively in Minjibir, while it increase profit by 9% in Wudil. Cultivation of Samnut-24 at high density with phosphorus application will make groundnut production a more profitable venture in Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria

Effect of grain moisture content on the physical properties of some selected sorghum varieties

Determination of physical characteristics of grain of biomaterials is important in the design of harvesting, handling, and processing equipment. This helps in understanding the problem of separating grains from undesirable materials during threshing and winnowing, as well as in designing post-harvest handling equipments. Physical properties of sorghum grains from ten varieties (7 released and 3 breeding lines) were investigated under three different grain moisture content of 10%, 20% and 30% dry basis (d.b.). Results from the experiment revealed wide variation among the sorghum varieties on the physical properties measured. Arithmetic Mean Diameter ranged from 4.233 mm to 4.872 mm, while the Geometric Mean Diameter of the varieties ranged from 4.215 mm to 4.864 mm. Sphericity for the different sorghum varieties fall within the range of 0.86 to 0.96. It was also observed that the surface areas of the sorghum varieties are between 52.2 mm2 to 70.00 mm2. The results further showed that Aspect ratio ranged from 0.84 to 0.94 and the Angle of repose for the sorghum varieties were from 31.510 to 34.250. Result from the study revealed that, increase in moisture content led to increase in the surface area, arithmetic mean diameter, geometric mean diameter, sphericity and angle of repose. Variety and changes in moisture content significantly affected the physical properties determined

Sorghum yield and water use under Phosphorus fertilization applications in the Sudan savanna of Nigeria

Low soil fertility and water shortage are major constraints to food production and food security in semi-arid environments. Field experiments were conducted during two growing seasons (2014 and 2015) in two locations in Sudan savanna zone of Nigeria. The studyexaminedthe effects of Phosphorus (P) applications oncrop evapotranspiration (ETc) water use efficiency (WUE)and agronomy phosphorus use efficiency (APUE)and sorghum productivity. The experiments were arranged in split plot design with five (5) P-fertilizerlevels(0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 kg P205ha-1) as the main plot and threevarieties (CSR01, ICSV400 and local) as sub-plot in four replications.Results showed significant differences (P<0.05) amongthe P levels and sorghum varieties for grain yield in both locations and seasons. P increased grain yield by 19-39% over control treatment.The highest mean yield of 3156 kg ha-1 at Minjibir and 2929 kg ha-1 at BUK indicate optimum yield was recorded at the 45 kgP205ha-1 application rate and significantly higher than P rates at 0, 15 and 30kgha-1 respectively.Grain yield WUE washighly significantamongP-fertilizer levels and varieties, however, no significant differences between P-fertilizer rates for biomass WUE.P-application increased grain WUE of sorghum by 20-39%, the ICSV400 estimated the mean highest value of 9.3 and 8.6 kg ha-1mm-1 over CSR-01 and local at both locations.The study observed that the application of P could be an effective fertilization strategy to enhance sorghum yield and water use in low-rainfall cropping system and drought prone environment

Response of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) to plant population in the semi-arid environments of Nigeria

Low planting densities and use of unimproved varieties contribute to the low yields of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) in Nigeria. Field experiments were conducted during the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons, to evaluate the response of pearl millet varieties to varying plant hill population in semi-arid environments of Nigeria. Year, variety and plant hill population had significant (p ≤ 0.05) effect on days to 50% flowering, grain and stalk yields. With exception of Sosat-C88 at 8,889 hills ha-1, the grain and stalk yields of pearl millet varieties were found to be significantly higher at higher hill populations than lower hill populations in both locations. Plant chlorophyll content (SPAD) at 21 DAS (days after sowing) was higher and significantly correlated with grain yields in Minjibir than value at 42 DAS. Similarly, leaf area index (LAI) at 42 DAS was significantly correlated with grains than at 63 DAS. Increasing hill population to 13,333, 26,667 and 53,333 hills ha-1 increased grain yield by 5.8, 5.3 and 4.5% in Minjibir and by 14.3, 18.7 and 10.1% in Gambawa respectively compared to 8,889 hills ha-1. Similarly, stalk yields increased with increased plant hill population, which ranged from 6 to 23% at Minjibir and 11 to 15% at Gambawa over 8,889 hills ha- 1. Sosat-C88 was found to produce higher yield across the different hills population than the other varieties tested with mean yield gained by 17% in Minjibir and 19.3% in Gambawa over local variety. Results suggest no blanket recommendation for the hill population across the varieties; GB8765 attained an optimal yield at a population of 13,333 hills ha-1 in both locations beyond which grain yield decline. Sosat-C88 produced an optimum yield at lower population of 8,889 hills ha-1 at Minjibir and higher population of 26,667 hills ha-1 at Gambawa while local variety an optimal yield was stable at 26,667 hills ha-1 in both locations

Typology of farmers in Relatively Safe Local Government Areas of the North Eastern States of Nigeria

Recent security challenges have caused disruption in the agricultural and economic livelihood of the people in north eastern states of Nigeria. However owing to recent gains in security and the resettlement of some displaced people agricultural activities have started coming back. A study was commissioned t asses the typology of farmers in the relatively safe local government areas of adamawa, Borno and Yobe States

A Farmer’s Guide to Profitable Groundnut Production in Nigeria

Nigeria used to be the highest groundnut exporting country in Africa, but a combination of drought, rosette and other diseases wiped out groundnut production in the 1970s. ICRISAT, IAR and partners have developed and released new improved high-yielding varieties with combined resistance to major biotic stresses. It is, however, necessary to disseminate these varieties with improved crop management packages on a large scale to increase and restore the profitability of groundnut cultivation in Nigeria. This handbook aims to be an effective guide to farmers on groundnut crop production and general management best practices for efficient groundnut production in Nigeria and its neighboring countries

Understanding and Managing Aflatoxin Contamination in the Groundnut Value Chain in Nigeria

This manual is conceived to support awareness raising campaigns of the groundnut value chain actors in and out of the States targeted for the implementation of the USAID funded Groundnut Technology Upscaling Project in Nigeria. It is a fall-out of two capacity development events of the project - Media Training and Training of Trainers Workshops organized by ICRISAT in Kano during the first six months of project implementation in Nigeria. In view of the focus of the groundnut technology upscaling project on ensuring that farmers produce and market groundnuts free of Aflatoxins, the manual provides the general and specific information on Aflatoxin contamination and its management at all stages of the groundnut value chain. Though considered to be a basic companion document for front-line officers of partner institutions of the groundnut technology project, it can also be used by other actors of the groundnut value chain. The Manual is laid out in two parts; while Part 1 provides general and specific information required for the understanding of Aflatoxin, Part 2 focuses on the management of Aflatoxins at all stages of the groundnut value chain

Pre-empting aflatoxin contamination in legume and cereal farming systems in Northern Nigeria: Case study of the groundnut value chain

The current emphasis by the government of Nigeria on boosting . agricultural productivity requires actors of the agricultural sector to develop sustainable agro-allied technologies that could enhance the quality of crop-livestock products. Aflatoxin is reported to be a major challenge of many legume and cereal value chains with potentially negative impacts on product marketing, and the health of people and livestock. This study presents preliminary results of pre-emptive measures being undertaken by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and national partners on the management of Aflatoxin contamination in the Groundnut Value Chain in selected States of Northern Nigeria. A combination of complementary approaches is being used to pre-empt aflatoxin contamination in the groundnut value chain. These include, the organization of Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops, development of aptitudes in the detection of aflatoxin levels, demonstration of onfarm options for managing aflatoxin contamination, production of pedagogic materials to support awareness raising campaigns, engagement of media organs to sustain awareness on the challenges of aflatoxin contamination, and evaluation of aflatoxin groundnut resistant genotypes. Above all, a total of 250 samples of groundnut and groundnut-based products have been collected from 16 out of the 19 States in Northern Nigeria to determine the prevalence and distribution of aflatoxin contamination. This paper presents progress on the outcomes of these interventions

Productivity and Water Use Efficiency of Sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor

Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for sorghum growth and development but often becomes limiting due to low availability and loss. The effects of N fertilization on water use efficiency (WUE) and physiological and yield traits of sorghum were investigated in two locations over two cropping seasons (2014 and 2015) in the Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria. Three sorghum varieties were evaluated under six (6) N-levels (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 kg ha−1) at a constant phosphorus and potassium level of 30 kg ha−1. Results showed that N increased grain yield by 35–64% at the Bayero University Kano (BUK) and 23–78% at Minjibir. The highest mean grain yield in the N-fertilizer treatments (2709 kg ha−1 and 1852 kg ha−1 at BUK and Minjibir, resp.) was recorded at 80 kg N ha−1. ICSV400 produced the highest mean grain yields (2677 kg ha−1 and 1848 kg ha−1 at BUK and Minjibir, resp.). Significant differences were observed among the N-levels as well as among the sorghum varieties for estimated water use efficiency (WUE). The highest mean value coincided with the highest mean grain yield at an optimum application rate of 80 kg ha−1. N-fertilizer treatments increased WUE by 48–55% at BUK and increased WUE by 54–76% at Minjibir over control treatment. Maturity and physiological trait have a significant effect on WUE. The extra early maturing variety (ICSV400) recorded the highest mean WUE while late maturing variety (CSR01) recorded the lowest WUE

Adoption of agricultural intensification options for increasing productivity of farmers in semiarid of West Africa

To ensure sustainable increase in agricultural productivities of small holder farmers in West Africa, Agricultural Scientists have developed varieties of component crops. Nutrient management options combining inorganic and organic fertilizer in different dosages have been developed. The research institutes are collaborating with extension outfits, development partners and key stakeholders to disseminate these technologies to farmers and provide market and financial linkages. On farm grain and fodder yields advantage of 20 to 50 % were recorded by participating farmers. P fertilizer application on legumes increased yield 26 to 62 %. Increase in plant hill population from 8,889 hills/ha led to corresponding increase in millet yield by 48 %. Cultivation of improved varieties coupled with fertilizer application and appropriate plant hill population will increase productivities of smallholder farmers in the semi arid West Africa