IMPACT OF BIOPHYSICAL CONDITIONS ON THE YIELD OF LEGUMES AND VARIETAL RESPONSE TO INPUT OF GROUNDNUT VARIETY (SAMNUT 24) IN AJINGI AND GAYA SAVANNA ZONE OF NIGERIA

Field experiments were conducted at Ajingi and Gaya operational areas of N2Africa both in Kano State, Nigeria for the impact of biophysical conditions on the yield of legumes and varietal response to input of groundnut variety (samnut 24) in Ajingi and Gaya savanna zone of Nigeria. The experiment comprised six (6) treatments, groundnut seeds Samnut 24 have been planted in each plot. Four (4) of the plots had received P fertilizer at the rate of 30kg P2 05/ha (Single Super Phosphate SSP), three (3) plots had received K in form of MOP at the rate of 20kg K20/ha while two (2) plots each had received micronutrients and organic manure. The remaining one plot had serve as control no input. The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five replications. Application of all rates and combination of different of fertilizer produced statistically similar treatments effect per plot at both locations and combined. However, the study indicated that, application of combinat ion of PK-MN-OM and PK-MN alone were statistically superior in Plant height, Number of branches, Canopy spread, Number of plant established and Days to maturity. There were statistically significant higher positive correlations between growth and yield components at both locations. Conclusively, the results of the study showed that, application of PK-MN-OM and PK-MN respectively were statistically superior to PK, P, OM and the control treatment. It is hereby recommended that, application of PKMN- OM and PK-MN should be adopted and phosphorus fertilizer at the rate of 30kg/ha, potassium 20kg/ha and 40kg/ha of organic manure.