Ibrahim et al., (2016) Biological and Environmental Sciences Journal for the Tropics 13(2) September, 2016 ISSN 0794 – 9057 EFFECT OF POULTRY MANURE AND WEED CONTROL TREATMENT ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF GROUNDNUT UNDER IRRIGATED CONDITIONS AT KADAWA IN SUDAN SAVANNA ECOLOGICAL ZONE OF NIGERIA Ibrahim, U. 1 *, Mahmoud, B.A. 2 and Peter, E. 1 1 Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria * ibrusman2007@yahoo.com 08053663718 2 Federal College of Horticulture, Dadinkowa, Gombe State, Nigeria ABSTRACT Field trials were conducted during the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 dry seasons at the Irrigation Research farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Kadawa located in the Sudan Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria. The treatments consisted of three levels of poultry manure (0, 1.5 and 3 tonnes ha -1 ), three levels of post emergence herbicide (54g a.i.ha -1 , 108g a.i ha -1 and 162g a.i ha -1 of haloxyfop-R-methyl ester, weedy check, and hoe weeding at 3 and 6 WAS) on three varieties of groundnut (SAMNUT 11, SAMNUT 22 and SAMNUT 23). The treatments were laid out in a split- plot design with factorial combination of the weed control treatments and poultry manure occupying the main plot while the varieties were allocated to the subplots. The results from the study revealed that application of 3.0 tonnes ha -1 poultry manure significantly increased growth parameters such as plant height, number of branches, and canopy spread. Application of 1.5 tonnes ha -1 of poultry manure gave the highest pod yield while the application of 3.0 tonnes ha -1 of the manure resulted to highest haulm yield. Hoe weeding at 3 and 6 WAS gave the highest value for all the growth and yield parameters which was followed by the application of 162g a.i. ha- 1 haloxyfop – R –methyl ester among the weed control treatments. SAMNUT 11 also gave the highest value for plant height, number of branches, canopy spread, pod and haulm yield than SAMNUT 22 and SAMNUT 23.Therfore in order to increase groundnut productivity under irrigation in the study area farmers are advice to adopt the use of 1.5 tonnes ha -1 of poultry manure, hoe weeding at 3 and 6 WAS and SAMNUT 11 but in the absence of labour for hoe weeding, the use of 162g a.i. ha-1 haloxyfop – R –methyl can be use to control weed. Keywords: Productivity, Groundnut varieties, Irrigation, Poultry manure and Weed control INTRODUCTION Groundnut pod yield from farmers’ fields under rain fed conditions are low, averaging 910 kg ha -1 (NAERLS and FDAE, 2013) when compared to the potential yield of 3,000 kg ha -1 . According to Ahmed et al. (2010), the main problems limiting production of groundnut include non-availability of seed of improved varieties for a particular ecology, poor soil fertility, inappropriate crop management practices, inadequate weed management, pest and diseases. Due to scarcity and high cost of chemical fertilizer and its negative effects on the environment the use of poultry manure is on the increase in the study area. Poultry manure is an excellent source of organic manure as it contains high nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and other essential nutrients (Mitchell and Donald, 2012). In contrast to mineral fertilizer, poultry manure adds organic matter to soil which improves soil structure, nutrient retention, aeration, soil moisture holding capacity and water infiltration (Mitchell and Donald, 2012). It is essential to avoid wastage by ensuring that only the required quantities of poultry manure are applied to the crop. However, rates varying within the range of 3- 10 tonnes ha -1 have been reported by various researchers (Ahmed et al., 2010; Mubarak, 2004; Yanduraju et al., 1980). Thus, there is the need to determine the appropriate rate of poultry manure for optimum groundnut yield. According to Akobundu (1987) weeds may account for 30 to 40 % of potential yield losses. Hoe weeding is the major method of weed management in organic groundnut production is costly and requires a lot of labour, which are not readily available during rainy season. Pegs and roots of the groundnut plants may be damage by hoe weeding and thereby reduce crop yield. The use of appropriate varieties for a particular ecology is very important in groundnut farming. Farmers using improved varieties have derived significant yield gains of 23%, 43% and 31% over local varieties in Mali, Niger and Nigeria, respectively (ICRISAT, 2011). In line with this, it is necessary to determine the most appropriate variety suitable for each of the ecological zones where groundnut is produced. BEST JOURNAL 13(2): 77 - 83 Date received: 13 th June, 2016 Date accepted: 23 th August, 2016 Printed in Nigeria BEST JOURNAL 77