Effect of Gibberellic Acid (GA3) and 6-Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP) on the Yield and Yield Parameters of Groundnut (Samnut 23) in Port Harcourt

Abstract

This study was conducted at the Botanical Garden, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, to investigate the effects of GA3 and BAP on yield and yield parameters of groundnut (Samnut 23). Seeds of the improved variety were cleaned with 70% ethanol for 5 minutes and pre-soaked for 24 hours in seven treatments: 50 ppm GA3, 50 ppm BAP, 100 ppm GA3, 100 ppm BAP, 50 ppm GA3 + 100 ppm BAP, 50 ppm BAP + 100 ppm GA3 and control. Treated seeds were sown in polybags containing 15 kg of sandy-loam soil at four seeds per bag. The treatments were replicated four times, giving 28 experimental units arranged in a completely randomised design. Data were collected on pod number, seed number, and fresh and dry seed weights. Average pod number differed significantly (P < 0.05), with 100 ppm BAP producing the highest pod number (42) and 50 ppm BAP + 100 ppm GA3 producing the lowest (18). Seed number, fresh weight and dry weight did not differ significantly among treatments. However, 50 ppm GA3 recorded the highest seed number (50), fresh weight (17.98 g) and dry weight (11.35 g). The control and 50 ppm BAP + 100 ppm GA3 recorded the lowest seed numbers (27 and 28, respectively), while 100 ppm GA3 recorded the lowest fresh and dry weights (12.47 g and 7.33 g). The findings indicate that GA3 and BAP influenced selected yield-related traits in Samnut 23 groundnut, but responses varied among treatments and should be interpreted cautiously.