Abstract

Nine groundnut trials were conducted in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone in 2012 and 2013.  The objectives of the trials were to evaluate the performance of two improved/groundnut varieties (Samnuts 22 and 23) and one improved local variety in the transitional rain forest and the savanna grassland agro-ecologies in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone, and to evaluate the responses of the varieties to phosphorous fertilizer. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Grain yield by the treatment combination was significantly higher in the transitional rain forest than in the savanna grassland. The variety Samnut 23 performed significantly higher in terms of grain yield than the varieties Samnut 22 and Slinut 1, while the variety Samnut 22 produced more stover yield than Samnut 23 and the improved local variety in the two agro-ecologies considered in both years, an indication that Samnut 23 could be recommended for grain production while Samnut 22 recommended for fodder production in both agro-ecologies. Addition of single super phosphate (SSP) fertilizer enhanced the performance of all the varieties and also increased the formation of nodules by the varieties and had significant effect on biomass production. The improved local variety was an early maturing variety; Samnut 23 was a medium maturing variety, while Samnut 22 was a late maturing variety. 

Key words: Forest transitional, savanna woodland, Samnut, Arachis hypogaea, agro-ecologies, haulm, stover, biomass, fodder.