GROWTH RESPONSE OF BEETROOT (BETA VULGARIS L.) TO SOWING METHODS, NUTRIENT REGIMES AND SEASONAL VARIABILITY IN NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during rainy (May-August) and dry (November -February) seasons of 2024 and 2025 at the NVRI Research Farm, Vom, Jos South, Plateau State to evaluate growth response of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L) to sowing methods, nutrient regimes and seasonal variability. The treatments comprised of three sowing methods (drilling, broadcasting, transplanting) and four nutrient sources (control, NPK 80:60:60 kg ha⁻¹, poultry manure 10 t ha⁻¹, cow dung 10 t ha⁻¹). Factorially combined and laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications across two seasons. The results showed a significant (P<0.05) effects on morphological and physiological growth indices. The result further indicated that, drilling recorded highest plant height (42.15 cm), number of leaves (13.80), leaf area (345.60 cm²), leaf area ratio (125.40 cm² g⁻¹), net assimilation rate (0.045 g cm⁻² day⁻¹), crop growth rate (0.0085 g cm⁻² day⁻¹) and absolute growth rate (1.85 g plant⁻¹ day⁻¹), while broadcasting gave lowest values. Poultry manure at 10 t/ha significantly outperformed NPK, cow dung and control with 45.20 cm height, 14.60 leaves, 368.50 cm² leaf area and 132.50 cm² g⁻¹ LAR. Rainy season sowing (41.80 cm, 342.10 cm² leaf area) was superior to dry season (36.70 cm, 287.50 cm²). The non-significant interactions suggest these technologies can be scaled as independent packages for smallholder vegetable farmers in Jos metropolis who already face low soil fertility and seasonal water constraints.