Improving the production and health of Bambara groundnut using different manures and plant extracts in Nigeria, West Africa

Ndifon E. M. et al. (2025). AFRIMED AJ - Al Awamia (146) : 143-153. 143 Improving the production and health of Bambara groundnut using different manures and plant extracts in Nigeria, West Africa Ndifon Elias Mjaika (1), Chidiebere Prince Osuji Emeka (1), Emmanual Ankrumah (1), Chinaka Ikechukwu (1), Paul Inyang (1) and Faith Okpe (1) [email protected] 1: Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Faculty of Agriculture, Crop Science Department, P.M.B. 1010 Abakaliki, Nigeria. Abstract - Bambara groundnut is a climate-resilient, under-exploited, and under-researched indigenous crop. Eventhough its yield is better than that of other crops in marginal lands, it was shown herein that it can benefit immensely from application of manures. This research was carried out in vitro and in the field. Field plots were laid out using fully replicated randomized complete block design amended with poultry manure or nitrogen-phosphorus-potasium (NPK) (15-15-15) fertilizer. Effect of poultry manure and NPK on percentage germination of Bambara groundnut was not significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) compared to the control although manured plots produced more germination. There were significant differences between the number of leaves (ranging from 93.9- 107.9) at 12 weeks after planting. Plant height and petiole length followed this trend. Disease severity was significantly highest in the control (25.0% severity) followed by NPK-50% rate (14.7%) then Poultry manure-50% (11.0%). Lowest disease severity (1.3%) was observed in NPK-100% with time. Control of Agroathelia rolfsii using Ginger+Onion (100% concentration) (9.7 mm colony diameter) was significantly more followed by Ginger+Onion (50% concentration) (19.3). Garlic+Duckweed-100% (35.3 mm) and Garlic+Duckweed-50% (59.3) controlled the pathogen successfully. At 96 hours after inoculation the plant extracts caused between 15.3-86.1% inhibition of A. rolfsii. Seed yield was significantly more in all Poultry manure plots (50% or 100% concentrations) (pods with husk: 226.7/214.0 kg ha-1, dehusked: 140.6/143.3 respectively) followed by NPK-100% (i.e with husk/dehusked: 162.4/116.7) then NPK-50% (i.e. with husk/dehusked: 129.3/75.4 kg ha-1) compared to the control (70.3/49.6). These manures are recommended for the production of Bambara groundnut.