Phosphate Fertilizer Rates and Time of Application Influence Yield of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

An extensive study was conducted in the growing season on the Teaching and Research Farm linked to Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University in Makurdi, Nigeria. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of varying doses of phosphate fertiliser and their timing of application on groundnut yields. The experimental design consisted of four predetermined dosages of phosphate application (0, 27, 54 and 81 kg P₂O₅ /ha) and three different times to apply the fertiliser (two weeks prior to planting, at planting, and two weeks after planting), which were combined according to a factorial design resulting in twelve treatment combinations. These treatment arrangements were conducted with a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. Standard agronomic protocols were adhered to until the crops reached maturity, at which point essential yield parameters were meticulously recorded. The data collected were subjected to an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) utilizing GENSTAT 17th Edition, and mean separation for treatments exhibiting statistical significance was conducted employing Fisher's Least Significant Difference (LSD) at a 5% probability threshold. The analysis elucidated that treatments involving phosphate fertilizers substantially enhanced all evaluated yield components. Increased phosphate levels in the soil increased pod quantity, pod weight, and grain yield. The least amount of grain produced as a result of phosphate fertilization at 0kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ (control) was 364kg ha⁻¹, while the highest amount of grain produced due to adding 81kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ a was 545kg ha⁻¹. Regarding the treatment of application, the addition of phosphate at the time of sowing was found to be the most beneficial one (524 kg ha⁻¹). Therefore, the use of 81 kg of phosphorus (P₂O₅) at sowing per hectare is advised when sowing groundnut for optimal yield in the area investigated.