Growth and Yield Responses of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) to Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Inoculation in Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

Background and Objective: The search for more affordable, environmentally friendly and sustainable approaches in managing our rapidly declining soils for increased crop yield is inevitable. This study evaluated the growth and yield responses of two groundnut varieties to inoculation with two species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Materials and Methods: Field experiments were carried out at the University of Calabar Teaching and Research Farm. These experiments were dispersed in a 2×3 factorial disposition and arranged in a randomized complete blocked design (RCBD) with three replications. Two groundnut varieties (SAMNUT 21 and SAMNUT 22) were combined with two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi species; Glomus clarum and Gigaspora gigantea and an un-inoculated control. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using a two way analysis of variance and significant means were compared using Fisher's least significant difference (FLSD) at 5% probability level. Results: Data analysis showed that inoculation of the groundnut varieties with AMF significantly (p<0) increased number of pods/plant, pod yield, seed yield and 100-seed weight. The highest enhancements in yield attributes were obtained when variety SAMNUT 21 was inoculated with Glomus clarum while G. gigantea inoculation enhanced the growth attributes of SAMNUT 22. Conclusion: Thus G. clarum was more effective in yield enhancement in SAMNUT 21 variety compared to G. gigantea which enhanced growth in SAMNUT 22. This technology could be incorporated into groundnut cropping systems by resource poor farmers in Calabar for yield improvement.