Глобальный журнал биологии, сельского хозяйства и медицинских наук

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EFFECT OF SEED HYDROPRIMING ON DRY MATTER PRODUCTION AND YIELD OF BAMBARA GROUNDNUT (VIgna subterranean (L.) Verdc.) LANDRACE

OGBUEHI, H.C, AMADI. C.A & ASHILONU P.

Field experiment was conducted to study the effect of seed hydro- priming with different durations on dry matter production and yield of Bambara groundnut landrace during 2012 season. The experiment was design based on Randomized Complete Design with five treatment levels (12hours, 24hours, 36hours, 48 hours and control) replicated four times. Data were collected on Root dry weight, Shoot dry weight, Number of pods, Fresh seed weight, Seed dry weight and Yield. There was significant difference (p<0.05) in root dry weights and shoot dry weights of primed seeds over unprimed seeds (control). The highest root dry weights and shoot dry weights were recorded from 24hours duration period compared to the control, 12hours, 36hours and 48hours respectively. However, maximum number of pods (10.33), seed fresh weight (124.1g), seed dry weight (118.16g) were observed in 24hours duration treatment compared to other duration periods. Seed yields was equally highest (828.3kg/ha) in 24hours compared to minimums recorded in control (6.90g) and 36hours (4.19g) respectively. Therefore hydro priming of seed should be encouraged for peasant farmers to help alleviate the low yield encountered due to poor crop stand. However, 24hour duration could be recommended to the acceptable presoaking time for maximum production of Bambara groundnut in Imo state, south east rainforest zone of Nigeria