Effect of Some Farming Systems on Insect Pests Infestation on Groundnut [Arachis hypogea (l.)] in Mubi, Northern Guinea Savanna

Abstract

The study evaluated the influence of some farming systems (tillage types) on infestation caused by insect pests on the growth and yield of groundnut in Mubi Northern Guinea Savannah. The work was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm (FAO/TCP) of the Department of Crop Science, Adamawa State University, Mubi during the 2024 and 2025 cropping seasons. The experimental design used was the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). There were three treatments replicated three times. The treatments included the three farming systems: Ridges/Mounds (T1), Conventional Tillage (T2), and Zero Tillage (T3). Data on insects damage, vegetative growth, pod health, and fresh pod weight were collected and analyzed using ANOVA and DMRT (P ≤ 0.05). Results obtained indicated that, insects abundance and damage were uniform across all farming systems, suggesting that regional environmental factors, rather than soil manipulation, primarily dictate pest pressure. However, the farming systems significantly affected productivity: the Ridges/Mounds system (T1) consistently proved superior, recording the highest number of undamaged pods and the highest fresh pod weight in both years (74.67 and 78.00 g). This significantly outperformed Zero Tillage (63.33 and 70.00g) and Conventional Tillage (46.00 and 50.10g), a finding attributed to improved conditions for groundnut peg penetration and pod development in ridged soil. The study concludes that, groundnut productivity in the Mubi region is optimally enhanced by adopting the Ridges/Mounds (T1) system in combination with the high-yielding groundnut variety. It is strongly recommended that this superior cultural practice be integrated with comprehensive Integrated Insects Management Practices (IIMP), as tillage alone is insufficient for pest control for ensuring robust and sustainable groundnut production.