Production Potential and Some Agronomic Practices of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterrenea L). Verdc) Under Rainfed Conditions of South Gedarif Area

Abstract

Field experiments were executed for two successive seasons
(2009 and 2010), at the southern area of Gedarif State with the objective
of studying the influence of sowing date and population density on the
productivity of a land race Bambara groundnut. Four sowing dates, viz.,
27th of June, 9th, 19th and 27th of July and five combinations of inter-
row*intra-row spacings, 40cmx30cm, 40x20, 30x30, 30x20 and 20x20,
were used during both seasons. The data recorded in both seasons were
plant height, canopy width, 100 seed weight, shelling % and pod yield
ton/ha. Results revealed highly significant differences in most of
measured parameters with respect to sowing date. Early sowing resulted
in a significantly higher pod yield (4.3 ton/ha) when compared to late
sowings (i.e. 2.3, 1.3 and 0.94 ton/ha for 9th, 19th and 27th of July,
respectively). Variable plant spacing significantly affected pod yield
during the first season, while no significant variation was observed during
the second season. Nevertheless, higher yields were obtained with wider
spacings. Accordingly, the early sowing from late June to early July is
suggested as optimum sowing date for Bambara groundnut with row-crop
spacings of 40-30cm inter-row and 30-20cm intra-row for the rain fed
conditions of south Gedarif area.