Impact of seedbed types and scarification methods on germination percentage and growth performance of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) in the Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria

Abstract

The field experiments were conducted during the 2021 and 2022 wet seasons at The National Institute for Horticultural Research, Bagauda, and Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Wudil, both in Kano State within the Sudan Savannah agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. The study aimed to find a better seedbed arrangement and the best scarification methods for good germination and growth of Bambara groundnut cultivars. The treatments consisted of four seedbed types (ridge, ridge+earthing, flat, and flat+earthing), four scarification methods (zero, mechanical, acid, and hot water treatments), and three cultivars (cream, black, and speckled). The treatments were factorially combined and laid out in a split-split plot design with three replications. Seedbed was assigned to the main plot, scarification methods were assigned to the subplot, and cultivars were assigned to the sub-subplot. Data collected were days to first emergence, establishment count (%), canopy height (cm), and kernel yield (kg ha^-1). The result indicated that mechanically scarified Bambara groundnut seeds resulted in a higher establishment count and uniform canopy height (cm), which led to more dry matter accumulation and a higher kernel yield (kg ha^-1).