Growth and Yield of Bambara groundnut (Vigna Subterranean) in a Soil Amended with Different Rates of Pig and Cow Manure in Humid Tropical Region of Nigeria.

Organic manure is crucial for enhancing soil fertility and promoting plant growth, particularly in nutrient-deficient soils. This study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Crop Science and Horticulture Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Ifite-Ogwari Campus, Anambra State, to evaluate the effects of different types and rates of organic manure on the growth and yield of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea). The experiment employed a completely randomized design (CRD) with treatments consisting of various manure applications: pig manure (PM) at rates of 5t/h, 10t/h, and 15t/h, cow manure (CM) at equivalent rates, and a control (no manure applied), replicated three times. Results revealed that pig manure at 10t/h significantly enhanced the leaf area and branches per plant, with means of 269.0 (cm²) and 89.7 respectively recorded at 12 weeks after sowing (WAS). Furthermore, cow manure at 15t/h showed comparable effects, particularly on leaf area and stem girth, indicating its potential for improving growth metrics. The interaction of pig and cow manure also positively influenced all growth parameters measured at 12 WAS, with notable increases in leaf area (254.9 cm²) and plant height (27.8 cm). Overall, pig manure demonstrated superior efficacy in boosting pod and seed yields, with recorded values of 510 g/plant and 195 g/plant respectively at the highest application rate. The findings suggest that integrating organic manure, particularly pig manure, is effective for optimizing growth and yield in Bambara groundnut cultivation, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural practices in similar agro-ecological zones.

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea), organic manure

1. Ahmed Bunu, Tahiru Lawan Dalorima, Babagana Muktar, Zanna Kyari, Kaka Aisha Sadiq, Yakaka Kundiri Mustapha (2025). Effects of Poultry Manure on Growth and Yield of Bambara Nut, (Vigna subterranea) in Maiduguri, Borno State. International Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology. Volume 12, Issue 2, P 14-20,DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.32100.08327 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Akintokun, O. A., Adeoye, I. O., & Oyekanmi, S. O. (2021). "Effect of cow dung on the growth and yield of some selected leguminous crops." Journal of Agricultural Science, 13(5), 55-63. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Assefa, S. (2019). The Principal Role of Organic Fertilizer on Soil Properties and Agricultural Productivity -A Review. Agricultural Research & Technology: Open Access Journal, 22(2). https://doi.org/10.19080/artoaj.2019.22.556192 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Bosu, W. K. (2014). An Overview of the Nutrition Transition in West Africa: Implications for Non-communicable Diseases. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 74(04), 466–477. doi:10.1017/s0029665114001669 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Bunemann, E. K., Bongiorno, G., & de Vries, F. (2018). "Soil biodiversity and soil ecosystem services: A review." Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 126, 177-185. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Camberato, J. (2016). Land Application of Swine Manure. CAMM Swine Training Manual, 1–13. https://www.clemson.edu/extension/camm/manuals/swine/sch5a_16.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Corinne, C., Hunt, J. R., Sale, P. W. G., and Franks, A. E. (2019). Attribution of Crop Yield Responses to Application of Organic Amendments: A critical review. Soil and Tillage Research, 186, 135–145. doi:10.1016/j.still.2018.10.002 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Effa, E. B., Nwagwu, F., and Osai, E. (2019). Growth and Yield Response of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc) to Varying Densities and Phosphate Fertiliser Rates in Calabar, South Growth and Yield Response of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc ) to Varying Densities. 6(May). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Kalid, A., Ahmed, A. A., & Abou El-Nour, A. H. (2020). "Impact of organic manures on soil properties and growth of chickpea." Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 13(2), 80-89. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Khan, M. M. H., Rafii, M. Y., Ramlee, S. I., Jusoh, M., and Al-Mamun, M. (2021). Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc): A Crop for the New Millennium, its Genetic Diversity, and Improvements to Mitigate Future Fod and Nutritional Challenges. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105530 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Kurmi, A., Jayswal, D.K., Saikia, D., Lal, N. (2023). Current Perspective on Malnutrition and Human Health. In: Rajput, V.D., El-Ramady, H., Upadhyay, S.K., Minkina, T., Ahmed, B., Mandzhieva, S. (eds) Nano-Biofortification for Human and Environmental Health. Sustainable Plant Nutrition in a Changing World. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-35147-1_9 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Ladan, M. K., Kura, H. N., & Lawal, A. B. (2025), Growth and Yield of Bambara Groundnut as Influenced by Poultry Manure Rates and Inoculation on Northern Guinea Savannah of Nigeria. Fudma Journal of Sciences, 9(6), 118-126. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2025- 0906-3720. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Le, B. T., Parnell, J. A., & Hurst, T. S. (2019). "The effect of pig manure on soil fertility and plant growth." Agricultural Sciences, 10(7), 687-699. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Nafiu, M. O., Afolabi, M. S., & Idayat, M. O. (2020). "Effects of cow dung on soil properties and growth of maize." Journal of Soil Science and Environmental Management, 11(1), 1-9. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Nkongolo, K. K., Watanabe, T., & Suwa, R. (2016). "Organic amendments for sustainable agriculture: The use of organic manures in agricultural production." Sustainable Agriculture Reviews, 18, 235-267. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Nwagwu, F. A., Ekeruke, A. N., Umunnakwe, O. C. and Ukpong, O. E. (2023). Influence of Different Population Densities of Bambara Groundnut Intercrop and Weeding Frequency on Maize (Zea Mays L.) Performance. Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences. Volume 21, Number 2, October 2023, p p 53 - 68. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Nweke, I. A (2013). The Response of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.)Verdc). To Phosphate Fertilizer Levels In Igbariam South East Nigeria. IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, 2(1), 28–34. https://doi.org/10.9790/2380- 0212834 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Obidiebube E. A., Eruotor P. G., Akparobi S.O., Okolie H., and Obasi, C. C. (2020). Assessment of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L) Verdc) Varieties for Adaptation to Rainforest Agro-Ecological Zone of Anambra State of Nigeria. Canadian Journal of Agriculture and Crops 2020, 5 ( 1 ),1-6 DOI: 10.20448/803.5.1.1.6 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Olanrewaju, O. S., Oyatomi, O., Babalola, O. O., and Abberton, M. (2022). Breeding Potentials of Bambara Groundnut for Food and Nutrition Security in the Face of Climate Change. Frontiers in Plant Science, 12(January), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.798993 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Oyeyinka, S. A., and Ade-Omowaye, B. I. O. (2021). Food and Potential Industrial Applications of Bambara Groundnut. Food and Potential Industrial Applications of Bambara Groundnut, October, 1–237. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73920-1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Tenkodogo, C. U. De, Faso, B., Faso, B., Faso, B., Faso, B., Formation, E. S., and Faso, B. (2023). Nigerian Agricultural Journal. 54(1), 451–458. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Breeding for a Greener Future: Selective Breeding and Crossbreeding Approaches to Minimize Methane Emissions in Ruminant Livestock
• Determinants of Adoption of Post-Harvest Losses Prevention Techniques among Banana/Plantain Marketers in Lagos State, Nigeria
• Enhancing Rice Yield Prediction Using UAV-Based Multispectral Imaging and Machine Learning Algorithms
• Seed-Borne Fungi of Groundnuts (Arachis Hypogaea) and Their Management with Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) Extract In Makurdi, Nigeria
• The Influence of Landforms and Slope on Agricultural Cropping Patterns in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar District