Performance of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc.) with rice husk biochar and Christmas Island Rock Phosphate application

Abstract

Purpose Biochar application could be a sustainable way to enhance the nitrogen fixation in Bambara groundnut and other legumes. The research was conducted to study the effect of rice husk biochar and the Christmas Island Rock Phosphate application on the performance of Bambara groundnut in the study area. Methods Two levels of rice husk biochar (0 and 10 t/ha) and four levels of Christmas Island Rock Phosphate (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P 2 O 5 /ha) were factorially combined to make a total of eight treatment combinations which were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Data were collected on nitrogen content and fixation of the crop. Results Application of rice husk biochar increased the total mean of nitrogen content and N fixed by the crop from 120.0 and 90.9 kg/ha to 147.6 and 114.1 kg/ha, respectively. However, the effect of rock phosphate application on the nitrogen content and fixation of the crop was not observed. Conclusion Rice husk biochar application at 10 t/ha alone was sufficient for nitrogen content and fixation of the crop. This implies that farmers in the study area can apply rice husk biochar at 10 t/ha to enhance the performance of the crop.

Assessment of Morphological Variations and Crop Performance among Commonly Cultivated Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L) Verdc.) Landraces in Gombe, Nigeria

“…Research has revealed that Bambara groundnut production can differ from 380 to 1000 kg ha −1 based on the genotype or landrace used [8]. Similarly, in a study conducted by [9] to study the influence of nitrogen fixation and the N-balance of its landraces cultivated on Malaysia's acidic tropical soils, they observed 374-896 kg ha−1 in pod yield. The crop produces higher grain yields with a projected world production of 331,000 tons.…”