Nodulation and Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation by Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) Genotypes as Influenced by Inorganic Nitrogen Fertilizer in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

Agah Boniface Unimke *

National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Service (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Emwanta Idehen

National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Service (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Jeremiah Idongesit Mbre

National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Service (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Magaji Tagwai

Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

Evaluation of existing groundnut genotypes for nitrogen fixation may be useful as selection criteria for high nitrogen fixation capacity. The objective of this study was to determine extent of effective nodulation and symbiotic nitrogen fixation by groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) genotypes. The treatments consisted of ten groundnut genotypes (SAMNUT 24, SAMNUT 22, ARRORSICGX-SM 00017/5/P15/P2, SAMNUT 10, 6AT, ICIAR 7B, ARRORSICGX 000201/5/P4P10, SAMNUT 21, SAMNUT 23 and SAMNUT 14) and two rates of nitrogen fertilizer (0 and 30 kg/ha) and were laid out in a split plot design with three replications. There was significant variation in nodulation in most of the selected variables in the two years of the trial with 2011 statistically out-performing 2012. ARRORS-ICGX 000201/5/P4P10 (29.11 kg N/ha) and SAMNUT 23 (22.27 kg N/ha) were the best genotypes in terms of biological nitrogen fixation, nodule number, and nodule dry weight in both 2011 and 2012. Application of 30 kg N ha-1 significantly increased nitrogen fixation and Ndfa but significantly reduced nodule number and weight. ARRORS-ICGX 000201/5/P4P10 (2739 kg/ha) and SAMNUT 22 (3346 kg/ha) performed best even without the addition of the starter dose of nitrogen fertilizer signifying their ability to reduce the cost of production by saving cost on inorganic fertilizer. Three distinct categories based on the amount of biologically fixed nitrogen and pod yield were assumed. ARROS-ICGX000201/5/P4P10 and SAMNUT 22 were high fixing and high yielding; 6AT was high fixing and low yielding; while SAMNUT 21 and ICIAR 7B are low fixing. Similarly, considering the drastic declined in the number of effective nodulation of the genotypes with increased dosage of nitrogen fertilizer, downward review of the current recommendation will be necessary to enhance the efficiency of nitrogen fixation of groundnut.

 

Keywords: Starter N, nodulation, BNF, nitrogen derive from atmosphere (Ndfa), yield


How to Cite

Unimke, Agah Boniface, Emwanta Idehen, Jeremiah Idongesit Mbre, and Magaji Tagwai. 2016. “Nodulation and Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation by Groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L) Genotypes As Influenced by Inorganic Nitrogen Fertilizer in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria”. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science 13 (5):1-15. https://doi.org/10.9734/IJPSS/2016/30413.