Effects of Jatropha Seed Cake (JSC) and Different Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Two Groundnut Cultivars under Three Harvesting Periods

Aim: to investigate the effect of Jatropha Seed Cake (JSC) and different fertilizers on growth and yield of two groundnut cultivars under three harvesting periods
Study Design: The experimental design was a randomized complete block in a split-plot replicated three times. Groundnut cultivars arranged as whole plots and five fertilizers treatment as sub- plot.
Locations: field experiments were conducted for two seasons 2011/12-2012/13 under semi-arid condition of Khartoum state in demonstration farm of Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum North, Shambat.
Material and methods: The treatments were Jatropha Seed Cake (2.5 t/ha), sulfur (119 kg/ha), single super phosphate (119 kg/ha), ammonium sulphate (119 kg/ha) and control on two groundnut cultivars (Sodri) and (Gebish) under three harvesting time (every 10 days).
Results: The results showed that yield increased with delayed in harvest periods for two seasons. The two tested cultivars revealed similar behavior during vegetative and reproductive growth. Except for plant height of third harvest of first season, primary branch of second harvest and yield of first and third harvest of two seasons. Results showed significant difference among fertilizers treatments and interaction between cultivars and fertilizers concerning the majority of growth and yield components. Super phosphate gave significant difference on leaf area index, plant height, number of primary branches, number of primary branches, number of pods/plant, germination %. On the other hand, sulfur and ammonium sulphate gave significant difference on number of pods/plant, germination % and yield. Ammonium sulphate and Jatropha Seed Cake reviled significant effect on yield in first and second season respectively
Conclusion: In conclusion addition of Jatropha Seed Cake and inorganic fertilizers appeared to be more promising. Delaying harvesting periods gave positive results.