Effect of varying shade levels on vegetative performance and chlorophyll contents of groundnut (<I>Arachis hypogea</I> L.) shoots

Abstract

Groundnut, also commonly known as peanut (Arachis hypogaea), is a tropical legume mainly grown to produce oil and for human and animal consumption. Light has been the most important factor influencing plant growth, with changes in irradiance having impacts on plant growth, morphology, and anatomy. This research was aimed to evaluate the effect of varying levels on vegetative performance and chlorophyll contents of groundnut shoots. This experiment was conducted in the Botanical Garden of the Department of Biology, Kaduna State University, Kaduna State Nigeria. Healthy seeds of Arachis hypogaea were procured from Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Samaru, Zaria. The seeds of A. hypogea were sown in polythene bags containing garden soil. This experiment was laid under Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), each treatments were replicated three (3) times. Growth parameters were measured using ruler and digital weighing balance. It was observed that, seeds germinated after 9 days. From the results obtained, shade affected all growth parameters studied. A. hypogea grown under shade showed reduction in number of leaves, root length, leaves fresh weight and dry weight, stem fresh and dry weights, root fresh and dry weight respectively. Results of chlorophyll composition showed the lowest content of chlorophyll in groundnut shoots grown under shade. It is recommended that, planting of groundnut under shade should be avoided because it ffects growth and chlorophyll compositions in A. hypogea shoots.