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Agriculture and Food Sciences Research 
Vol. 6, No. 2, 198-202, 2019 

ISSN(E) 2411-6653/ ISSN(P) 2518-0193 
DOI: 10.20448/journal.512.2019.62.198.202 

© 2019 by the authors; licensee Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 

    
 

 
 
 
Studies on the Growth and Yield of Prostrate Groundnut Variety (Arachis hypogaea 
L.) as Affected by Oil Palm Bunch Ash in Umudike Southeastern Nigeria 

 
Akpan A. U.1    
Eka, M. J.2 

 

 
( Corresponding author) 

 
1,2Department of Agronomy, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Southeastern, Nigeria. 

 

 
Abstract 

An experiment on studies on the growth and yield of prostrate groundnut variety (Arachis hypogaea L.), as 
affected by oil palm bunch ash in Umudike, Southeastern, Nigeria, was conducted at the eastern farm of 
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State. The research was laid out in a randomized 
complete block design (RCBD), with three replications. The treatments comprised the oil palm bunch ash 
levels of 0, 4, 6 and 8 tha-1. Result, showed that number of leaves per plant increased at 4 and 8 weeks after 
planting (WAP), and declined at 12 WAP due to senescence. Number of branches per plant increased at 4, 8 
and 12 WAP, while shoot dry weight increased at 4 and 8 WAP, and declined at 12 due to senescence. Dry 
matter content was higher at 4 WAP, but dropped at 8 and 12 WAP, due to the translocation of photo-
assimilates (biomass) as the crop developed in age. 8 tha-1 of oil palm bunch ash produced highest growth 
parameters compared with the control (0 tha -1). Improved number of seeds per pod (18.27 pods); number of 
seeds per plant (27.7 seeds); weight of pods per plant (20.89g); weight of seeds per plant (15.27g), 100-seeds 
weight (57.8g); harvest index (0.17); shelling percentage (74.2%); pod yield (5.22 tha-1) and seed yield (3.82 
tha-1) were obtained at 8 tha-1, although performances were statistically similar. Consequently, 8 tha-1 of oil 
palm bunch ash is recommended for the cultivation of groundnut in Umudike, Southeastern, Nigeria. 

 
Keywords: Growth, Yield, Groundnut, Oil palm bunch ash. 

 
Citation | Akpan A. U.; Eka, M. J. (2019). Studies on the Growth 
and Yield of Prostrate Groundnut Variety (Arachis hypogaea L.) as 
Affected by Oil Palm Bunch Ash in Umudike Southeastern Nigeria. 
Agriculture and Food Sciences Research, 6(2): 198-202. 
History:  
Received: 8 April 2019 
Revised: 17 May 2019 
Accepted: 28 June 2019 
Published: 22 August 2019 
Licensed: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons 

Attribution 3.0 License  
Publisher:  Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 
 

Acknowledgement: The authors appreciate all the workers of the University 
farms for their unalloyed supports, throughout the duration that the research 
lasted. 
Funding: This study received no specific financial support. 
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of 
interests. 
Transparency: The authors confirm that the manuscript is an honest, 
accurate, and transparent account of the study was reported; that no vital 
features of the study have been omitted; and that any discrepancies from the 
study as planned have been explained. 
Ethical: This study follows all ethical practices during writing.   

 

 

Contents 
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................................... 199 
2. Materials and Methods ................................................................................................................................................................. 199 
3. Results and Discussions ................................................................................................................................................................ 200 
4. Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 201 
References ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 201 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Contribution of this paper to the literature 
This research has further revealed that oil palm bunch ash is veritable organic manure, with dual 
purposes of ameliorating a declining soil fertility and acidity. Equally, groundnut cultivation in 
Southeastern Nigeria can be carried out with the application of organic manures like the oil palm bunch 
ash. 

 
1. Introduction 

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), is a major crop grown in the arid and semi-arid zones of Nigeria. It is either 
grown for its nut, oil or its vegetative residue (haulms) [1]. Groundnut, also known as peanut, is an important food 
and cash crop grown across West Africa. The crop is cultivated mainly by small-household and resources poor 
farmers. It is a self-pollinated, tropical annual legume [2]. It is an important crop in Nigeria as it occupied 13-27% 
of the total area in some state of the country [3]. 

Groundnut is a legume that ranks 4th among the oil seed crops and 13th among the food crops of the world. It 
provides high quality edible oil (48-50%), used in cooking, margarine, salads, easily digestible protein (26 to 28%), 
and about half of the 13 essential vitamins and more than a 2/3rd of the 20 essential minerals necessary for normal 
human growth and maintenance. It produces high quality fodder for livestock [4]. Being a legume, it synthesizes 
atmospheric nitrogen into root nodule with a symbiotic association of Rhizobium and thereby improves soil for 
fertility [5]. 

The main factors responsible for low yield in groundnut are the inadequate use of nutrients as well as nutrient 
deficiencies. Organic manure such as oil palm bunch ash is one of the major sources of essential plant nutrients 
gaining importance in groundnut production. Oil palm bunch ash is an organic residue derived from the 
incineration of oil palm bunch refuse after fruit extraction.  

According to Akpan [6] the scarcity and high cost of inorganic fertilizer led to intensification of research into 
low-cost, internally sourced, cheap, affordable and adoptable organic materials that could serve as liming agents and 
fertilizers. Akpan [7]; Akpan and Mbah [8] and Akata [9] studied effect of liming materials such as plant derived 
ash and saw dust on cucumber and cassava yields, the materials were found to increase soil PH and crop yield. Ntare, 
et al. [10]; Obi [11] and Moyin-Jesu [12] found out that plant derived ash including those of wood and cocoa pod, 
increased soil chemical properties, PH and yield of vegetables, cassava and maize.  Mbah and Akpan [13] reported 
that ash is an effective fertilizer and liming material for improving soil fertility, while Ikeh, et al. [4] stressed that 
combined application of oil palm bunch ash and poultry manure at 2.5 tha-1 rate each resulted to high tuber yield of 
water yam. Effiong, et al. [14] found that oil palm bunch ash and poultry manure treatments increased the soil PH, 
O.M, N, P, K, Ca, Mg by 6%, 13%, 19%, 28%, 32%, 33% and 21% respectively. Akpan [6] reported that oil palm 
bunch ash increased soil nutrient contents and uptake of nutrients by maize and these effects led to significant 
increase in maize yield. 

Essien [15] attributed the superiority of organic manure to the slow release of balanced nutrient during 
decomposition. This makes organic waste of greater residual beneficial effects distributed over longer period than 
inorganic fertilizers Asiegbu [16]. Gomez and Gomez [17] reported high growth and yield of groundnuts at 4 tha-

1 of oil palm bunch ash manure.  The objective of this research therefore, is to evaluate the growth and yield of 
prostrate groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as affected by oil palm bunch ash in Umudike, Southeastern, Nigeria. 
 

2. Materials and Methods 
The experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Michael Okpara University of 

Agriculture, Umudike, during 2018 cropping season. Umudike is located on latitude 050 29’N and longitude 
07033’E, on the elevation of 122.0m above sea level. It has a maximum and minimum temperature of 33oC and 24oC, 
annual rainfall of 21, 690.8mm and relative humidity range of 50%-95% respectively. Rainfall pattern is however 
bimodal, with rainfall commencing from March to October, with a short dry spell in August, NRCRI [18]. 

The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design. (RCBD) with three replications. The 
treatments comprised the oil palm bunch ash levels of 0, 4, 6 and 8 tha-1. The prostrate groundnut variety (G153), 
used in this study was obtained from the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 
Kaduna State. The experimental layout was 24. 5 x 7.4 m (181.3 m2), with each plot measuring 1.8 m x 2.0 m; 0.5 m 
spacing between plot and 1 m spacing between replicates. Planting spacing was 50 cm x 30 cm, resulting in a plant 
population of 66,667 plants ha-1. 

Before planting, the site was mechanically ploughed and subsequently harrowed. Planting was done in May 5th 
on bed. Two to three seeds were planted per hole, while thinning to one plant per stand was conducted at 14 days 
after planting (DAP). Oil palm bunch ash manure at the rates of 0,2,4, 6 and 8 tha-1, was applied by ring method 
after thinning at 14 DAP. Empty oil palm bunches were obtained from a local oil mill. They were dried properly 
before incineration to obtain the ash. The research plots were weeded once at 3 WAP, with hoe, while insect pests 
were controlled by the use of cypermethrin-10 EC. at 2.5 ml litre-1 of water using a knapsack sprayer once at 4 
WAP [19]. Harvesting was conducted at the end of August, precisely 4 months after planting. 

Data collection on vegetative parameters such as: number of leaves per plant, number of branches per plant, 
shoot dry weight per plant and dry matter content were conducted at 4, 8 and 12 WAP, while reproductive 
parameters including: number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, weight of pods per plant, weight seeds 
per plant, 100 – seed weight, harvest index, shelling percentage, pod yield and seed yield (tha-1), were obtained after 
harvest at maturity. 

Before the commencement of the research, composite soil samples were randomly collected at the depth 0-20cm 
for both physical and chemical analyses. Oil palm bunch ash manure was equally analyzed, while meteorological 
data bordering on rainfall (mm), relative humidity (%) and temperature (0C) were obtained from the meteorological 
unit of National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike. Both, vegetative and reproductive parameters 
were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) method [20] while Fisher’s Least Significant Difference (F-LSD) 
at 5% probability level was adopted to separate means. 
 



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3. Results and Discussions 
3.1. Meteorological Properties of the Research Site  

The meteorological properties of the research site Table 1 revealed that monthly rainfall increased from the 
month of April, (337.5mm) and dropped in the month of November (45mm) preparatory to the commencement of 
dry season. Both minimum and maximum temperatures were almost stable throughout the year, although with 
insignificant fluctuations. Relative humidity on the other hand increased from March (80%), with obvious drop in 
November due to the beginning of dry season Table 1. The fluctuation in relative humidity was tandem with that of 
monthly rainfall. The rainfall situation was in line with the recommendation of Ibia and Udo [21]; Chude, et al. 
[22] for groundnut cultivation in southeastern Nigeria. 
 

Table-1. Meteorological properties of the research site during 2018 cropping season. 

Months Jan. Feb. Mar. April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 

Rainfall (mm) 0 80.1 9.6 337.5 246.6 326.6 237.0 173.3 334.7 273.4 45.0 7.3 
Tempts. 0C Min. 22.6 23.8 24.6 24.7 24.9 23.1 24.1 24.4 23.3 23.7 23.9 24.1 

Max 34.1 34.5 34.4 32.5 32.6 30.9 29.6 30.4 30.1 30.8 32.3 32.1 
R/humility (%) 53 77 80 76 81 80 86 87 85 83 80 71 

      Source: Meteorological unit, NRCRI, Umudike. 

 

3.2. Physico-Chemical Properties of the Research Site 
The physico-chemical properties of the research site Table 2 showed that the soil was sandy loam in texture, 

while the sand fraction of (67.2%) was capable of sustaining the growth of groundnut. The PH of 4.2 , showed that 
the site was strongly acidic, and not in conformity with the PH of 5.5 to 6.5 recommendation by Ibia and Udo [21] 
and Chude, et al. [22]. Organic matter (0.87%); organic carbon (0.5%) and potassium (0.079 cmokg-1) were very 
low, while nitrogen (0.182%) and phosphorus (67.8 cmokg-1) were moderate and high respectively. The site 
therefore, requires liming or addition of plant ash for the remediation of its acidic status. 

The properties of oil palm bunch ash showed that the acidity level was low due to the high PH of 10.8. It is very 
rich in almost all the analyzed parameters Table 2. The rich status of oil palm bunch ash conforms with the reports 
of varying researchers such as: Ntare, et al. [10]; Effiong, et al. [14]; Akpan [6] and Ikeh, et al. [4]. Plant ash 
including oil palm bunch ash are veritable liming and fertilizer materials. 
 

Table-2. Physico-chemical properties of the experimental site. 

Soil physical properties Oil palm bunch ash properties 

Sand (%) - 67.2  - 
Silt (%) - 12.8  - 
Clay (%) - 20  - 

Textural class - sandy loam   

Soil chemical properties     

PH (H2O) - 4.2 - 10.8 
Organic matter (%) - 0.87 - 8.02 
Organic carbon (%) - 0.5 - 4.65 
Total nitrogen (%) - 0.182 - 0.28 

Available p (mgkg-1) - 67.8 - 8.20 
Calcium (cmolkg-1) - 2.8 - 3.40 

Potassium (cmolkg-1) - 0.079 - 11.50 
Magnesium (comolkg-1) - 1.6 - 0.48 

Sodium - 0.185 - 0.87 
                                 Source: Field data for soil and oil palm bunch ash samples. 

 
3.3. Growth of Groundnut as Affected by Oil Palm Bunch Ash  

The evaluated growth attributes showed that number of leaves per plant Table 3 for all treatment increased at 4 
and 8 WAP, with a decline at 12 WAP due to senescence. Higher number of leaves per plant was recorded at 8 
WAP for the treatments, while 8 tha-1 of oil palm bunch ash produced highest number of leaves per plant of 73.7 
(4WAP); 156.2 (8 WAP) and 146.0 (12WAP), compared with the control. Number of branches per plant increased 
at 4, 8 and 12 WAP, with 8 tha-1 of oil palm bunch ash producing highest number of braches per plant of 6. 85, 
(4WAP); 7.58 (8 WAP) and 8.83 (12 WAP) compared with 0 tha-1 (control), although performances were 
statistically similar. 

Shoot dry weight Table 3 also increased at 4, 8, and dropped at 12 WAP due to the process of senescence, while 
8 WAP produced higher short dry weight for all treatments. 8 t ha-1 of oil palm bunch ash gave higher shoot dry 
weight of 21. 3% (4WAP): 69.2% (8WAP) and 45.8% (12WAP), compared with the control. 

Dry matter contents Table 3 for all treatments was high at 4 WAP, with a decline at both 8 and 12WAP due to 
probably to the translocation of phyto-assimilate to sinks as the crop increased in age. 8 tha-1 of oil palm bunch ash 
produced highest dry matter content of 23.3% (4 WAP); 19.6 (8WAP) and 21.5 (WAP), compared with the control 
which produced the least values, although performances were statistically similar Table 3. 

Both number of leaves per plant and number of branches per plant were significantly (p<0.05) affected at 
12WAP and 4WAP respectively, while shoot dry weight and dry matter contents were not significantly (P> 0.05) 
affected at 4, 8 and 12WAP. The increase in number of leaves per plant at 4 and 8 WAP and a decline at 12 WAP, 
was earlier reported by Akpan [6]; Akpan [7] and Akpan and Mbah [8]. Uko, et al. [2]; Awodun, et al. [20] and 
Akata [9] all reported higher growth attributes at highest rates of oil palm bunch ash fertilizer, during their 
respective researches. 
 
 
Table-3. Effect of oil palm bunch ash on number of leaves per plant, number of branches per plant, shoot dry weight per plant and dry matter 
content of prostrate groundnut at 4, 8 and 12 WAP during 2018 cropping season. 



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Treatments No. of leaves per plant 
 

No. of branches per 
plant 

Shoot dry weight per 
plant (%) 

Dry matter content 
(%) 

 4WAP 8WAP 12WAP 4WAP 8WAP 12WAP 4WAP 8WAP 12WAP 4WAP 8WAP 12WAP 

Otha-1 52.0 123.3 65.5 5.50 6.67 7.63 14.4 40.7 37.7 19.7 19.0 22.3 
4tha-1 58.5 124.1 96.3 5.50 7.27 8.00 15.4 50.9 44.0 25.3 17.2 19.3 
6tha-1 58.8 134.1 126.7 5.53 7.42 8.13 17.8 54.9 45.6 19.6 18.9 21.5 
8tha-1 73.7 156.2 146.0 6.85 7.58 8.83 21.3 69.2 45.8 28.7 23.3 22.8 
Means 60.7 132.6 110.0 5.84 7.23 8.15 17.2 53.2 44.0 23.3 19.6 21.5 

L SD (0.05) Ns Ns 57.9 1.05 Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns Ns 
Source: Field data for vegetative parameters.  
 

3.4. Yield of Prostrate Groundnut as Affected by Oil Palm Bunch Ash Fertilizer 
All the evaluated yield parameters Table 4 including number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, 

weight of pods per plant, weight of seeps per plant, 100-seed weight, harvest index, shelling percentage (%), pod 
yield (tha-1) and seed yield (tha-1), all improved with increased levels of oil palm bunch ash, although performances 
were statistically similar. 8 tha-1 of oil palm bunch ash produced highest number of pods per plant (18.27 pods); 
number of seeds per plant (27.7 seeds); heavier pods (20.89g), heavier seeds (15.27g); 100-seed weight (57.8g); 
harvest index (0.17); shelling percentage (74.2%); pod yield (5.22 tha-1) and seed (3. 82 tha-1) compared with otha-1 
(control) with lesser values. The evaluated yield parameters were however not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the 
treatments, suggesting that their performances were generally statistically similar. This suggests that the acidic 
status of the sites must have locked-up the release of macro-nutrients to the plant.   

Various researchers, including Uko, et al. [2]; Awodun, et al. [20] and Akata [9] all reported improvement in 
yield parameters with increased rates of oil palm bunch ash fertilizer. The pod yield of 5.22 tha-1 obtained at 8 tha-1 
was higher than the pod yield range of 3,000 - 4,500 kgha-1 reported by Olorunju [23] while the seed yield of 3.82 
tha-1 obtained at 8 tha-1 was higher than 2. 58 tha-1 reported by Gomez and Gomez [17]. The seed yield of 3. 82 tha-

1 at 8 tha-1 of oil palm bunch ash was however lower than the 4.0 tha-1 reported by Uguru [24]. 
 

Table-4. Effect of oil palm bunch ash on some selected yield attributes of prostrate groundnut during 2018 cropping season. 

Treatments No. of 
pods 

per plant 

No. of 
seeds per 

plant 

wt. of pods 
per plant 

(g) 

wt. of 
seeds per 
plant (g) 

100 seeds 
weight 

(g) 

Harvest 
index 

Shelling 
percentage 

(%) 

Pod 
yield 
tha-1 

Seed 
yield 
(tha-1) 

Otha-1 12.00 22.3 16.54 13.69 50.9 0.09 72.2 4.13 3.42 
4tha-1 12.83 23.8 18.71 13.93 51.7 0.13 73.0 4.68 3.48 
6tha-1 14.75 24.2 19.58 14.35 53.1 0.15 74.2 4.90 3.59 
8tha-1 18.27 27.7 20.89 15.27 57.8 0.17 74.2 5.22 3.82 
Means 14.46 24.5 18.93 14.31 53.4 0.13 73.4 4.73 3.58 

L SD(0.05) ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns 
       Source: Field data for reproductive parameters. 
 

4. Conclusion  
The research has revealed that the values of both the growth and yield parameters increased with 

corresponding increases in the rates of oil palm bunch ash, although their performances were generally statistically 
similar. 8tha-1 of oil palm bunch ash equally produced highest growth and yield attributes, compared with 0tha-1 
(control). 

In view of the above therefore, 8 tha-1 of oil palm bunch ash is hereby recommended for the cultivation of 
groundnut in Umudike, Southeastern, Nigeria. The application of lime or plant ash for the remediation of the acidic 
status of the site is strongly recommended. This will ensure the release of nutrients to the crops.  
 

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