EFFECT OF VARIETY AND NEEM SEED EXTRACT ON THE MANAGEMENT OF CERCOSPORA LEAF SPOT DISEASE OF GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogaea L.) IN SOKOTO SUDAN SAVANNA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The experiment was conducted at the University Teaching and Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture,Usmanu Danfodiyo University. Three groundnut varieties used were Samnut 24, Samnut 25 and Ex-Dakar. The Neem Seed Extract rates are 500g10L-1 and 750g10L-1, Mancozeb as a check and a Control (unsprayed). Spraying was done fortnightly. The treatments were factorially combined and laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design, replicated three times. The data collected on growth parameters; Stand Establishment Count, Days to 50 % Flowering shows no significant difference between the varieties but Canopy Spread did. Also, the effect of NSE on the above mentioned growth parameters shows that there was no significant difference in Stand Establishment Count, Days to 50 % Flowering and Canopy Spread. The effect of the interaction between variety and NSE indicated that no significant difference was observed in Stand Establishment Count and Days to 50 % Flowering, and significant difference was observed in Canopy Spread. There was no significant difference on disease incidence among the groundnut varieties at 9 WAS and at harvest, number of spots showed significant difference among the varieties at 9 WAS and at harvest. Also, disease severity was significantly among the varieties at 9 WAS but showed no significance at harvest. Effect of NSE was significant on disease incidence, number of spots and disease severity at 9WAS and at harvest. The data collected on yield parameters; number of pod per plant, pod weight, 100-seed weight, shelling percentage and haulm yield. There was no significant difference among the varieties, but significant difference was observed on kernel yield. The effect of NSE shows significant difference in kernel yield weight, 100-Seed weight and shelling percentage. It is recommended that farmers involved in groundnut production could use the three varieties used in this research where Cercospora leaf spot seem to be a threat to the crops and could be treated with NSE as a means of control measure at the rate of 500g10L-1.