Evaluation of Tillage Practices on Weed Control and Yield of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Sudan Savanna Agro-ecology of Nigeria

Three years field studies were conducted at teaching and research farm of faculty of Agriculture, Bayero University Kano to evaluate the effect of various tillage practices on weed control and yield of groundnut. The study consisted of nine (9) treatments comprising of two (2) zero tilled, three (3) minimum and four (4) conventional tillage practices arranged in randomized complete block design with three (3) replications. Identification of weeds was made to species level and data were collected on weed count, cover score and weed dry weight. At maturity, groundnut stand and kernel yield were assessed. Data were analyzed using SAS (version 9.3). The result showed a higher weed infestation in T1, T2, T3, T4 and T6 (control) than in T9, T8 and T7 tillage practices from all the three years of study. Perennial weeds species were more frequent in T1 and T2 tilled plots than in T9 and T8 tilled plots. T9 had the least cover score while T6 (control) had the highest weed cover score in all the trials. In all the trials, T1 consistently recorded the highest weed dry matter while T9 recorded the lowest. The highest stands of 35333 ha-1 and 37852 ha-1 were observed at T9 in 2008 and 2010 trials respectively while control (T6) was among the least. The highest and lowest stands of 41556 and 17778 ha-1 were observed at T8 and T5 respectively in 2009 trial. Generally T9 had the highest kernel yield of 1067.7 kg ha-1 in 2008 and 1151 kg ha-1 in 2010 season. Tillage practices modified weed floral composition of the study area. T9 and T8 reduced the level of weed occurrences and resulted in better weed control with higher kernel yield than T1, T2, T3, T4, and T6 tillage practices. T8 and T9 tillage practices are recommended for weed control in the study area.