INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT SOURCES OF INORGANIC FERTILIZER ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF GROUNDNUT (ARACHIS HYPOGEA L.) IN LAFIA, LGA

ABSRACT Field trial was conducted at Department of Crop Production Technology, College of Agriculture Science and technology, Lafia research farm. The study was to evaluate the influence of Groundnut to application of application of different fertilizer sources. Soil samples were collected as recommended by Landon (1991) at the depth of 0 – 20cm using simple random sampling technique. Clay content of the soil was variable and ranged from 13.4 % before planning and 14.4 % after harvest. The texture was determined as sandy loam. pH of the soils was 6.4 before planting which indicates that the soil was slightly acidic and 6.4 after harvest indicates that the soil is still slightly acidic. Electrical Conductivity (EC) in the location was very low with the value of 0.65 dS/m before planting and 1.23 dS/m after planting. Organic carbon content in the study area is 1.85 % before planting and 1.80 % after harvest. The organic matter content in the study area was 3.18 % before planting and 3.10 % after planting indicates low organic matter content. Total Nitrogen was low with the value of 0.49 % before planting and 0.39 % after harvest. The available Phosphorus (P) is low in the location with the value of 3.78 ppm before planting and 5.63 ppm after harvest. The status of the exchangeable bases in the soil under study indicated that Calcium (Ca) is moderate in both locations with least value of 1.08 C mol kg-1 before planting and 1.80 after harvest which are very low. Magnesium (Mg) is low with the value of 0.86 C mol kg-1 before planting and 0.81 C mol kg-1 after harvest. Potassium (K) is moderate with the value of 0.11 C mol kg-1 before planting and 0.18 C mol kg-1 after harvest. The Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) in the study area is very low with the value of 2.71 C mol kg-1 before planting and 3.51 C mol kg-1 after harvest. A piece of land measuring 12 m x 12 m (144 m2) was manually cleared at the location using a matchet. Six (6) sub plots measuring 4 m x 4 m (16 m2) with a 1 m alleys were demarcated. Four (4) ridges were constructed in each sub plot using a hand-held hoe and normal agronomic practices were carried out. Two varieties of Groundnut (SAMNUT 24 and SAMNUT 26) were planted at 1-2 seeds per stand and thinned to one seed per stand at 2 WAS. At the distance of 20 cm intra row spacing and 75 cm inter row spacing. Fertilizer application was done twice (basal application of SSP and application of NPK 10:20:5+1Zn+2Ca at 6 WAS). The Groundnut was harvested twelve (12) weeks after planting. Two of the plots, one per variety was the Control (No Fertilizer), Single Super Phosphate (60 kg ha-1 P2O5) and OCP special blend of fertilizer of NPK 10:20:5+1Zn+2Ca at 66 kg per plot were applied to the ridges for each of the variety making a total of six treatments. Two of the plots, one per variety was the Control (No Fertilizer), Single Super Phosphate (60 kg ha-1 P2O5 at 1.6 kg per plot) and OCP special blend of fertilizer of NPK 10:20:5+1Zn+2Ca at 66 kg ha-1 (1.8 kg per plot) were applied to the ridges for each of the variety making a total of six treatments. The treatments were replicated three times in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and laid out in a factorial arrangement. The treatments were replicated three times in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and laid out in a factorial arrangement. The application of F3 (NPK 10:20:5+1Zn+2Ca at 66 kg ha-1) fertilizer performance was better in both growth and yield parameters evaluated. It is recommended to apply NPK 10:20:5+1Zn+2Ca at 66 kg ha-1 for the growth and the optimum yield of SAMNUT 24 and SAMNUT 26 varieties of groundnut in the study area.