Evaluation of the Effects of Intra and Inter Row Spacing on the Growth and Yield of Ground Nut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) at Haro Sabu, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Ground nut (hypogaea L.) is one of most important food crop grown in Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. However, its productivity is very low due to inappropriate intra and inter spacing practice. Thus,the study was conducted in 2016 and 2017 during the main cropping season at Haro Sabu Agricultural Research Center and Kombo subsite of Kelem Wollega zone of Western Ethiopia to identify the effects of different spacing on growth parameters, yield and yield components of ground nut varieties. The experiment was laid out in Randomized complete Block design with three replications in factorial arrangement. The experiments was consist of two factors. Nine levels of spacing were 50cmx5cm, 50cmx10cm, 50cmx15cm, 60cmx5cm, 60cmx10cm, 60cmx15cm 75cmx5cm, 75cm x10cm, 75cm x15cm and two varieties (Manipinter and Sartu). The highest total number of pods per plant (21.36) was obtained from variety manipinter. Regarding to spacing, the highest number of pods per plant (25.00) was obtained from 75cmx10cm and followed by 75cmx15cm(22.45) . The highest hundred seed (66.85g) weight and grain yield (2105 kg ha -1 ) was recorded from manipinter variety. Regarding to spacing, the highest grain yield (2474 and 2433 kg ha -1 ) was obtained from 50cmx5cm and 60cm x5cm respectively. The highest net benefit (50269.00 and 50245.00 ETB ha -1 ) was recorded from 50cmx5cm and 60cmx5cm spacing respectively. However the highest marginal rate return (288.46%) was recorded from spacing 60cm x 5cm followed by 50cm x 5cm (2.66%). Therefor spacing of 50cmx5cm and 60cmx5cm was optimum plant population density for production of ground nut in Kelem Wollega zone of western Ethiopia. Keywords : Arachis hypogaea L., grin yield, interaction effect, spacing DOI : 10.7176/ALST/70-04