Effect of Weeding Frequency on the Yield of Groundnut in Zamfara State

This study examines the effect of different weeding frequencies on crop-weed competition and pod yield of groundnut in Zamfara State, North West Nigeria. Weed management is a critical determinant of groundnut yield in the semi-arid North West, where vigorous weed growth during early canopy development can cause yield losses exceeding 60 percent. The optimum weeding frequency must balance the economic cost of weeding operations against the yield protection achieved. This study establishes a randomised complete block design experiment at the Kebbi State University of Science and Technology research farm in Aliero, testing five weeding regimes: no weeding, one weeding at three weeks after planting, one weeding at six weeks, two weedings at three and six weeks, and three weedings at two, four, and six weeks using SAMNUT 24 variety. Weed density and biomass, canopy development rate, number of pegs and pods per plant, and pod yield are measured at each weeding timing and at harvest. Findings reveal that two weedings at three and six weeks after planting produces the highest pod yield of 2.3 tonnes per hectare, statistically equivalent to three weedings at 2.4 tonnes per hectare, indicating that a third weeding beyond six weeks does not justify the additional labour cost. Single late weeding produces only marginally better yield than no weeding. The study concludes that two timely weedings represent the most cost-effective weed management strategy for groundnut in Zamfara State, and recommends this frequency as the standard extension guidance.

Keywords: weeding frequency, groundnut yield, weed competition, Zamfara State, weed management.