Effect of Different Rates of Npk Fertilizer and Supergro on Growth and Yield of Two Varieties of Groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L.).

Abstract

Two field experiments were carried out at the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED)-Mampong campus research field during the 2023 major rainy season (May to August) and minor rainy season (September to December) to evaluate the effect of varying fertilizer and SuperGro application rates on groundnut productivity. The experimental design used for the study was a 2×5 factorial experiment arrangement in a Randomized Complete Block Design with ten treatments, each replicated four times. The factors were: (A) groundnut varieties ((i) Yenyawoso and (ii) Dehyee) and (B) fertilizer rates ((i) no fertilizer, (ii) 50 kg/ha NPK, (iii) 150 kg/ha NPK, (iv) 250 kg/ha NPK, and (v) 10 ml SuperGro per 10 L of water). The results showed that percentage crop establishment was significantly affected (P≤0.05) by variety, fertilizer rates, and their interaction across both seasons. Yenyawoso consistently recorded higher crop establishment percentages compared to Dehyee, with the highest values observed at 150 kg/ha NPK. Days to 50% flowering, pegging, podding, and maturity were generally earlier in Yenyawoso, particularly under 50–150 kg/ha NPK, than in Dehyee, mostly in the minor season. Growth parameters such as plant height, canopy spread, number of branches, stem girth, and biomass accumulation were influenced by variety, fertilizer rate, and their interactions across different growth stages. Dehyee had taller plants and wider canopies in the major season, while Yenyawoso showed superior growth in the minor season. Across both seasons, Dehyee grown on 50 kg/ha NPK produced the greatest number of pods per plant, pod weight per plot, and pod yield, while Yenyawoso treated with 150 kg/ha NPK achieved the highest seed yield compared to its control. Farmers are encouraged to grow Dehyee with 50 kg/ha NPK and Yenyawoso with 150 kg/ha NPK for higher yield and yield component.