Optimization of Groundnut Crop Management Practicesin Somali Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia

To study the response of groundnut to different crop management practice six different crop management practices tested in three districts namely Godey, Gursum and Erer of Eastern Ethiopia. Treatments wereT₁ (Spacing 60 x 30 cm, P @ 80 kg/ha and twice weeding @ 15th and 30th DAE), T₂ (75 x 20 cm, P@ 60 kg/ha three times mechanical weeding), T₃ (Spacing 45 x 15 cm, 50 and 85 kg/ha twice weeding, T₄(Spacing at 75 x 30 cm, N and P applied @ the rate of 46 and 90 kg/ha respectively and hand weeding once @ 25th DAE), T₅ (Spacing 30 × 10 cm, FYM @ 12 ton/ha, N and P applied @ the rate of 25 and 46 kg/ha respectively and mechanical weeding @ 28 DAE). T₆(Spacing 30x 15cm, N and P applied at the rate of 80 and 130 kg/ha respectively, twice weeding and earthling up). Then the treatments were arranged in RCBD. Analysis of variance showed that there were statistically significant differences between each treatment across the locations on growth and seed yield of groundnut at (p<0.05). Maximum seed yield was obtained from T₆ followed by T₅ and T₃. Wider spacing and minimum use of P without N fertilizer at (T₁ and T₂) resulted in significantly low seed yield. T₅resulted in robust plant growth however; it resulted in reduced yield and yield components compared toT₆. Groundnut seed yield was remarkably influenced by proper combinations of crop management components as specified in T₆. Therefore, T₆ can be recommended as an integrated crop management practice for groundnut to current study areas and other similar lowland districts of eastern Ethiopia.