Naab, J.B.Seini, S.S.Gyasi, K.O.Mahama, G.Y.Prasad, P. V. VaraBoote, K.J.Jones, J.W.2011-10-072011-10-072009-07-17http://hdl.handle.net/2097/12210Citation: Naab, J. B., S. S. Seini, K. O. Gyasi, G. Y. Mahama, P. V. V. Prasad, K. J. Boote, and J. W. Jones. “GROUNDNUT YIELD RESPONSE AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF FUNGICIDE AND PHOSPHORUS APPLICATION IN FARMER-MANAGED TRIALS IN NORTHERN GHANA.” Experimental Agriculture 45, no. 4 (October 2009): 385–99. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479709990081.Prior on-station research showed that sowing dates, sowing density and applications of fungicide and phosphorus (P) increased groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) pod yield by 60–80%. Farmer-managed trials were conducted in the Wa district of the Upper West Region of Ghana from 2004 to 2007 to test the yield response to sowing density, fungicide and P and to assess economic returns of these technologies to farmers. Treatments included: an early maturing groundnut cultivar, Chinese, sown at farmers’ density (5–8 plant m−2) without fungicide and without P application (T1, control), with fungicide sprays alone (T2), or with fungicide and P application (T3), cultivar Chinese sown at recommended (higher) density (20 plant m−2) with fungicide and P application (T4), and a full season cultivar, Manipinter, with fungicide and P application (T5). Soil fertility, sowing density, days from sowing to first weeding, incidence and severity of leaf-spot disease and plant population at final harvest were recorded. Relative to farmers’ practice, pod yield of cultivar Chinese was significantly increased by 80% with fungicide sprays alone, 108% with fungicide and P application, and 113% with fungicide and P application at higher sowing density. Cultivar Manipinter treated with fungicide and P gave 107% increase in pod yield relative to farmers’ practice. Correlation and stepwise regression analyses suggested that major determinants of groundnut pod yield in farmers’ fields were plant density, leaf-spot disease and P availability. The increase in yield with fungicide and P application translated into a 4–5-fold increase in gross margin for farmers in the region. Returns to labour and labour productivity were doubled with combined use of fungicide and P fertilizer.Copyright Cambridge University Press 2009This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).Arachis hypogaeaFungicide applicationGroundnutPhosporus applicationGhanaText