Growth and yield of amaranths (Amaranthus spp.) as influenced by seed rate and variety in Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

This experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Vegetable Garden of the Department of Crop Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto during the rainy season of the year 2016. The objective of the research was to determine the effect of seed rate and variety on the growth and yield of Amaranths (Amaranthus spp.) in Sokoto. The treatment consists of factorial combination of four (4) seed rates (2.0 kg ha^-1, 2.5 kg ha^-1, 3.0 kg ha^-1 and 3.5 kg ha^-1) and two (2) varieties Ex-Egypt (‘‘DAN EGYPT”) and Ex-Kano “DAN KANO’’. The result indicated that seed rate had no significant effect on plant height of amaranths at 2 Weeks after Planting (WAP). However, at 4, 6 and 8 WAP, seed rate significantly (p<0.05) affected plant height. Seed rate at 3.0 kg ha-1 resulted to significantly taller plants which did not differ significantly from 3.5 kg ha-1 and 2.5 kg ha-1. The shortest plant was from 2.0 kg ha^-1. The effect of seed rate and variety on number of leaves is not significant (P>0.05) at 2, 4, 6, and 8 WAP. The result also showed that seed rate had significant (P-0.05) effect on fresh and dry weight of amaranths at harvest; seed rate of 3.5 kg ha-did not differed significantly from seed rate at 3.0 kg ha^-1 and 2.5 kg ha^-1, while seed rate at 2.0 kg ha^-1 recording the lowest fresh and dry weight of amaranths. Seed rate at 2.5 kg ha^-1 and any of the two varieties, Ex-Egypt (DAN EGYPT) or Ex-Kano “DAN KANO’’ would be beneficial for the farmers in Sokoto State and areas with similar environmental conditions.