Growth and Yield Performance of Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) at Different Planting Dates in the Savannah Grassland Agro-Ecology of Sierra Leone

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at the Magbosi Land Water and Environment Research Center (MLWERC) experimental site of Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI) in Mile 91. The objectives of this study were to determine the appropriate planting date for groundnut in the Savannah agroecology and to investigate the effect of different planting dates on some agronomic traits, yield, and yield components of the two farmers’ preferred local cultivars in the area. A split-plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replicates was used. Planting dates were assigned to the main plots and genotypes to the sub-plots. Two local groundnut varieties (Senegal and Bandugu) were planted over four (4) dates at fourteen days intervals from 8th May to 20th June 2021 for the first planting season and from 14th August to 25th September 2021 for the second planting season. Plant height, number of leaflets per plant, number of pods/plots, dry groundnut biomass, fresh pod weight, dry pod weight, and pod yield (Kg/ha) were measured. Combined analysis of the two seasons showed that the yield produced was statistically significantly affected by the season (P th May and 22nd in the first cropping season and the 28th of August to 11th September during the second cropping season under rainfed conditions.