Effect of Phosphorus Fertilizer Rates and Seed Priming Treatments on Seed Quality of Bambara Groundnut

Abstract

Bambara groundnut (BG) is one of the neglected and underutilized African legumes. Not many studies have examined the seed quality response of BG landraces grown by Ugandan farmers to seed quality enhancement treatments and application of phosphorus. This study was aimed at determining the effect of applying different rates of phosphorus on seed yield and seed quality of BG, and the effect of hydropriming and halopriming with potassium nitrate on its seed quality. Field experiment was set at Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Ngetta in Uganda using RCBD with a 3x4 factorial treatment structure (3 BG landraces and 4 phosphorus rates). A standard germination test was conducted on seeds harvested from this experiment. Landrace with the poorest germination was subjected to seed priming treatments, and a standard germination test done. Phosphorus application did not significantly affect seed yield (p>0.05) of landraces but significantly affected their germination capacity and seed vigour (p<0.05). The effect of seed priming treatments on germination capacity and vigour of AbiBam 001 landrace was not significant (p >0.05). Among the landraces evaluated, only AbiBam 001 landrace responded positively to phosphorus application with respect to seed yield and seed quality. Seed priming treatments did not improve germination capacity and vigour in AbiBam 001 landrace. Phosphorus use efficiency of Bambara groundnut landraces should be investigated to explain their responses to application of phosphorus.

Production and utilisation of Bambaranut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) in Northern and Eastern Uganda

“…Another explanation is the informal seed system (use of own seeds, acquisition from neighbor, etc.) described in Source: Authors Obura et al (2021a). Cultivation and management practices for such a crop are therefore entirely based on traditional knowledge and practices that have informally been passed on through generations (Hillocks et al, 2012;NRC, 2006).…”

“…On the other hand, storage pests and diseases may occasionally prove problematic, but farmers use various methods to manage the situation (Table 6). Post-harvest handling and seed management practices of BN in Uganda have been described in detail in Obura et al (2021a).…”

“…The underlying cause of seed scarcity is realistically linked to few farmers producing on relatively very small, while limited market is linked to low demand incited by relatively limited uses and lack of information discussed earlier. According to Obura et al (2021a), the labour related challenge of 'difficulty in harvesting' is due to the fact that most farmers in Uganda use the hand hoe to dig up the pods regardless of the time of harvest or the soil conditions. In many parts of SSA however, difficulty in harvesting is suggested to arise mostly from the timing of harvest with respect to soil moisture conditions and maturity stage (NRC, 2006).…”

“…When the soil is moist and soft enough and the crop is at an early maturity stage (yellowing of leaves), the plants can easily be pulled out (NRC, 2006). However, when the soil is dry and the crop is at a late maturity stage (with dry stems and senesced leaves), the plants has to be dug out and pods collected individually, hence making it more labour intensive (Obura et al, 2021a;NRC, 2006).…”

Factors Influencing Willingness to Adopt Recommended Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc) Agronomic Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Semi-Arid Lands of Embu County, Kenya

“…There is low adoption of best agronomic practices of Bambara groundnut in the dryer parts of Eastern Kenya since the crop is less known in the region (Obura 2021). In this study, it was hypothesized that farmers' willingness to adopt the best agronomic practices on Bambara groundnut would be greatly influenced by farmers' participation in the agronomic evaluation as well as their socio-economic characteristics.…”