Effects of Seed-Dressing Fungicides on Germination, Nodulation, N_2-Fixation and Yields of Two Groundnut Varieties in Semi-Arid Region of Nigeria.

摘要

Treatment of seeds with chemical fungicide can show different effects-enhancement, depression or no effect on germination, nodulation, nitrogen fixation and yield of the plant. We therefore, conducted two- years field experiment at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Soil Science, University of Maiduguri to evaluate the effects of Apron Star, Fernasan-D and Seed Plus fungicides on the performances of two groundnut varieties ( Ex-Dakar and Kolji- Kanuri). The legumes seeds were treatedwith the fungicides and sown. At 50 days after sowing, 5 plants were sampled and analyzed for N. At maturity, the grains and stover were measured. The results showed that the fungicides significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the performances of the crops. There was significant difference between the crops in their responses to the fungicides. Ex-Dakar treated with Apron Star had the highest germination percentage (96.33) and pod yield (590 kgha~(-1)). Kolji-Kanuri dressed with Apron Star was superior in nodulation (104 per plant), N_2- fixation (47.86 kgha~(-1) ) and stover yield (2384 kgha~(-1) ). The lowest percentage of damaged pod (7) was recorded in Kolji-Kanuri that received Seed Plus. Treatment of Ex-Dakar with Apron Star would increase pod yield inthis region.