Growth, Yield and Proximate Composition of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as Influenced by Land Preparation Methods

Abstract

Field experiments were carried between May and July 2014 to investigate the effects of three land preparation methods (flat surface, raised beds and ridges) on growth, yield and proximate composition of groundnut. The plots layout followed complete randomized block design with three replications. The results showed that growth parameters such as plant height, number of primary branches and leaf area were the highest in raised beds, followed by ridges and flat surface. Yield components such as number of matured pods per plant, number of seeds per plant and seed weight per plant were significantly higher in raised beds compared to other planting methods. Higher pod and seed yield were recorded under raised beds, but these were not statistically different from those of ridges. Regardless of the planting method, the percentage moisture, ash, fibre crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrate had values that ranged between 11.30 ± 0.88-10.67 ± 0.61%, 2.38 ± 0.33-2.07 ± 0.20%, 4.97 ± 0.05-9.95 ± 0.19%, 23.84 ± 0.14-26.51 ± 0.20%, 44.17 ± 0.37-48.86 ± 0.47% and 5.89 ± 0.14-9.59 ± 0.19% respectively. However, raised beds planting method had a remarkable influence on ash, fiber and crude protein, but limit the fat and carbohydrates contents of the seeds when compared to other planting methods. In view of its influence on growth, yield and some aspects of proximate composition, raised beds method of planting is therefore suitable for producing Arachis hypogaea L., ‘MK 373’ cultivar of groundnut.