THE EFFECTS OF PLANTING METHODS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF
GROUNDNUT (
ARACHIS HYPOGAEA) CULTIVAR NATAL COMMON IN AFRICA
SOUTH OF THE SAHARA

THE EFFECTS OF PLANTING METHODS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF
GROUNDNUT (
ARACHIS HYPOGAEA) CULTIVAR NATAL COMMON IN AFRICA
SOUTH OF THE SAHARA

C MVUMI

S WASHAYA

C RUSWA

The most appropriate planting method to use for optimum growth and yield of groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea)
in Africa South of the Sahara (ASS) among those currently used is not known, as the methods are highly
influenced by environmental conditions in specific regions. Investigations of the effects of planting methods on
growth and yield of a groundnut cultivar (cv.) (NTC), under rainfed conditions were carried out. Treatments used
were planting on flat ground (FG), earthing up after planting on flat ground (EFG) and planting on ridges (R).
Flat ground was considered as the standard (control). The parameters measured for growth were plant height,
stem width and number of leaves, while those for yield were grain yield, pod yield and number of pods plant-1.
Results showed that the planting methods used significantly (P<0.001) increased number of leaves plant-1of NTC.
All treatment means were significantly (P<0.05) different, and R had the greatest mean number of leaves.
Treatments did not significantly (P= 0.533) increase grain yield; only the R mean grain yield was significantly
(P<0.05) greater, compared to the other two methods. Panting on ridges (R), followed by EFG, had higher
number of leaves, number of pods plant-1 and increased grain yield, which, thus outweighing FT. Increase in the
number of leaves, which are important for growth, and pod yield plant-1, are thought to be responsible for the
ultimate increase grain yield. It is recommended that groundnuts should be planted on R in SSA in order to
cherish the highest production benefits of NTC groundnut

International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

2018