GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF BAMBARA GROUNDNUT (Vigna subterranea L.) AS AFFECTED BY PHOSPHORUS LEVELS AND WEED CONTROL METHOD IN SUDAN SAVANNA, NIGERIA

Field trials were conducted during 2016 and 2017 wet seasons at the Research Farm of Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil to assess growth and development of bambara groundnut ( Vigna subterranea L.) as affected by Phosphorus levels and weed control methods in Sudan Savanna, Nigeria. The experiment consisted of three levels of Phosphorus (0, 15 and 30 kg P ha -1 ) and six weed control treatments Pendimethalin at 2 levels of 1.0 and 2.0kg a.i. ha -1 , at pre-emergence, or combined with supplementary at 6WAS, two hoe weeding at 3 and 6 WAS and weedy check as a control.The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance to test the significance difference means were separated using Students New-Mens Kuelt (SNK).The combined result (2016 and 2017) showed that application of 30kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 recorded significantly highest mean values in all the parameters assessed during the years while the result indicated that application of Pendimethalin at 1.0 or 2.0 kg a.i ha -1 followed by supplementary hoe weeding at 6WAS produced significantly higher number of branches, number of leaves, number of pods per plant, pod weight per plant and grain yield per hectare. These weed control method (Pendimethalin at 1.0 or 2.0 kg a.i ha -1 followed by supplementary hoe weeding at 6WAS) recorded lower weed cover scores and weed dry weight. Hence this method when combined with 30kgP 2 O 5 ha -1 can be recommended for weed control in bambaranut.