Influence of weed management strategies on proximate composition of two varieties of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
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Date
2013
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Annals Food Science Technology
Abstract
Information on the use of rice straw mulch for weed control to limit herbicide use and its effect on nutritional contents of the groundnut seed is scanty. Field experiment was conducted in 2011 at Lafiagi, Kwara State, a Southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria to evaluate the impact of weed management strategies on proximate composition of two varieties (Samnut 10 and MK 373) of groundnut seeds. Experimental layout was a split plot randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments include: Pendimethalin at 1.5 l/ha; Pendimethalin at 1.5 l/ha + one hand weeding at 6 Weeks After Sowing (WAS); Rice straw mulch at 0.1m depth; Rice straw mulch at 0.1m depth + one hand weeding at 6 WAS Two hand weeding at 3 and 6 WAS; Weed free check (positive control) and Weedy check (negative control). The results revealed that there were significance differences in all the proximate parameters assessed except the moisture content. Regardless of all the treatments investigated, percentage moisture content, ash content, crude fibre, crude fat, crude protein and carbohydrate in both varieties ranged between 4.63-4.90, 2.45-3.10, 7.55-8.39, 43.67-48.33, 26.43-35.13 and 4.99-10.27% respectively. Rice straw mulch + one weeding at 6 WAS significantly (p<0.05) increased crude protein, and ash content over all other treatments except the weed free check. The enhancement of protein and minerals content of groundnut seed by this treatment could be promising agronomical practices for meeting the nutritional needs of man in Africa as well as limiting the use of herbicide.