TITLE:
Solar Radiation Interception, Dry Matter Production and Yield among Different Plant Densities of Arachis spp. in Ibadan, Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Kolapo O. Oluwasemire, George O. Odugbenro
KEYWORDS:
Radiation Use Efficiency, Arachis spp., Plant Densities, Solar Radiation Interception
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.5 No.10,
August
21,
2014
ABSTRACT: The production of grain legumes is becoming a popular practice in the
humid south western Nigeria. Apart from the decreasing trends observed in
rainfall amount and duration as a result of climate change, solar radiation
interception also constitutes a limitation to crop production because of
persistent cloud cover. A trial was conducted at the University of Ibadan
experimental site to determine the effect of different plant densities of Arachis spp. on solar radiation
interception, dry matter production and yield in Ibadan, Nigeria with the aim
of ascertaining the best practice for groundnut production in the zone. The
treatments were three plant spacings (60 cm×20 cm,75 cm×20 cmand75 cm×40 cm), and three Arachis varieties
(Samnut 10, Samnut 21 and Pintoi) arranged in a split plot, randomized complete
block design with Arachis varieties as the main plot while plant
densities formed the subplot and replicated three times. Growth parameters
(number of leaves, dry leaf weight and dry stem weight) were measured at two
weeks interval while yield parameters (number of pods, dry pod weight, dry seed
weight and total dry matter) were determined at harvest. Intercepted radiation
by plants (PAR) was also taken along with the growth parameters. The highest
light interception from 42 - 105 days after planting (DAP) among the Arachis
spp. was recorded by Samnut 10, while at 42 - 87 DAP, plant density of75 cm×20 cmhad the highest light
interception. Dry matter production increased with light interception and was
highest at 105 DAP when light interception was between 55% and 60% for all Arachis varieties and all plant densities. In terms of pod weight and grain yield,
Samnut 10 performed better than Samnut 21 and also recorded the highest
Radiation Use Efficiency (RUE) for pod, seed and total dry matter. However, Arachis pintoi, a sterile and forage
plant with slower growth rate served as a cover crop capable of replenishing
soil nutrients and physical properties.