Effects of Ground and Unground Rice Straw on the Yield and Proximate

A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the influence of ground and unground rice straw application as organic manure yield and proximate composition of Complete Randomized Block Design with four replications. The ground and unground rice straw were in the main plot and differe application rates of unground rice straws at 1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha application rates significantly increased (p < 0.05) yield attributes such as p


Introduction
most popular oil seed crop, cultivated in the tropical and subtropical part of the world (Olayinka and Etejere, 2013).It contains about 45 to 50% oil, 25 to 30% protein, 20% carbohydrate, 5% each of fibre and ash, all wh substantial contribution to human nutrition (Fageria 2010).It is also a rich source of phosphor, potassium, calcium and magnesium, as well as vitamin E, K and B (Savage and Keenan, 1994).Achou consumption as a supplement for the staple carbohydrate food where protein food of animal origin is unaffordable.limited its yield potentials. Inorganic fertilizer application have been considered yield, especially in commercial production; however, its prolong use have been associated with soil degradation, nutrient imbalance and s and practice is gaining attention from researchers, as several studies have been conducted on soil amendment from organic sources ranging from poultry manure vermicompost amongst others, all of which have been repo

Introduction
Groundnut ( most popular oil seed crop, cultivated in the tropical and subtropical part of the world (Olayinka and Etejere, 2013).It contains about 45 to 50% oil, 25 to 30% protein, 20% carbohydrate, 5% each of fibre and ash, all wh substantial contribution to human nutrition (Fageria 2010).It is also a rich source of phosphor, potassium, calcium and magnesium, as well as vitamin E, K and B (Savage and Keenan, 1994).Achou consumption as a supplement for the staple carbohydrate food where protein food of animal origin is unaffordable.
The high nutrient demand of this crop from the soil has limited its yield potentials. Inorganic fertilizer application have been considered yield, especially in commercial production; however, its prolong use have been associated with soil degradation, nutrient imbalance and s and Sami, 2014) practice is gaining attention from researchers, as several studies have been conducted on soil amendment from organic sources ranging from poultry manure vermicompost amongst others, all of which have been repo to enhance yield in groundnut also ( A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the influence of ground and unground rice straw application as organic manure yield and proximate composition of Complete Randomized Block Design with four replications.The ground and unground rice straw were in the main plot and differe application rates of the rice straw (0; 1,250; 2,500; 3,750 and 5,000 kg /ha) were in the subplots.The results revealed that ground and unground rice straws at 1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha application rates significantly increased (p < 0.05) yield attributes such as p a range of 48.33-74.33 pod weight (23.95 38.05 g) as well as some aspect of proximate composition such as ash content, crude protein and crude fats which 2. 79%, 31.47-31.56% and 46.61 unground rice straw applied at the rate of 1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha can serve as an alternative for soil nutrient ame a reasonable yield that is able to meet the nutritional needs of man and livestock.
application rates, groundnut, proximate composition, rice straw, yield attribute Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea most popular oil seed crop, cultivated in the tropical and subtropical part of the world (Olayinka and Etejere, 2013).It contains about 45 to 50% oil, 25 to 30% protein, 20% carbohydrate, 5% each of fibre and ash, all wh substantial contribution to human nutrition (Fageria 2010).It is also a rich source of phosphor, potassium, calcium and magnesium, as well as vitamin E, K and B (Savage and Keenan, 1994).Achou et al. (2005) reported groundnut seed consumption as a supplement for the staple carbohydrate food where protein food of animal origin is unaffordable.
The high nutrient demand of this crop from the soil has limited its yield potentials. Inorganic fertilizer application have been considered as soil amendment to help increase groundnut yield, especially in commercial production; however, its prolong use have been associated with soil degradation, nutrient imbalance and soil acidity (Obi and Ebo, 1995;Sami, 2014).Recently, a better practice is gaining attention from researchers, as several studies have been conducted on soil amendment from organic sources ranging from poultry manure vermicompost amongst others, all of which have been repo to enhance yield in groundnut also (Veluchamy et al., 2013).A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the influence of ground and unground rice straw application as organic manure yield and proximate composition of groundnut seeds, at the University of Ilorin teaching and research farm.The field layout was a split plot Complete Randomized Block Design with four replications.The ground and unground rice straw were in the main plot and differe the rice straw (0; 1,250; 2,500; 3,750 and 5,000 kg /ha) were in the subplots.The results revealed that ground and unground rice straws at 1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha application rates significantly increased (p < 0.05) yield attributes such as p 74.33 pod weight (23.95-42.70),number of seeds (45.67 38.05 g) as well as some aspect of proximate composition such as ash content, crude protein and crude fats which 31.56% and 46.61-47.13%respectively, in order of their mention.The forgoing study revealed that ground and unground rice straw applied at the rate of 1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha can serve as an alternative for soil nutrient ame a reasonable yield that is able to meet the nutritional needs of man and livestock.

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Not Sci Biol, 2016, 8(2 hypogaea L.) is one of the world`s most popular oil seed crop, cultivated in the tropical and subtropical part of the world (Olayinka and Etejere, 2013).It contains about 45 to 50% oil, 25 to 30% protein, 20% carbohydrate, 5% each of fibre and ash, all wh substantial contribution to human nutrition (Fageria 2010).It is also a rich source of phosphor, potassium, calcium and magnesium, as well as vitamin E, K and B (Savage and . (2005) reported groundnut seed consumption as a supplement for the staple carbohydrate food where protein food of animal origin is unaffordable.
The high nutrient demand of this crop from the soil has limited its yield potentials. Inorganic fertilizer application have as soil amendment to help increase groundnut yield, especially in commercial production; however, its prolong use have been associated with soil degradation, oil acidity (Obi and Ebo, 1995; .Recently, a better soil-friendly amendment practice is gaining attention from researchers, as several studies have been conducted on soil amendment from organic sources ranging from poultry manure, farm yard manure to vermicompost amongst others, all of which have been repo to enhance yield in groundnut also (Veluchamy A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the influence of ground and unground rice straw application as organic manure groundnut seeds, at the University of Ilorin teaching and research farm.The field layout was a split plot Complete Randomized Block Design with four replications.The ground and unground rice straw were in the main plot and differe the rice straw (0; 1,250; 2,500; 3,750 and 5,000 kg /ha) were in the subplots.The results revealed that ground and unground rice straws at 1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha application rates significantly increased (p < 0.05) yield attributes such as p 42.70), number of seeds (45.67 38.05 g) as well as some aspect of proximate composition such as ash content, crude protein and crude fats which 47.13% respectively, in order of their mention.The forgoing study revealed that ground and unground rice straw applied at the rate of 1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha can serve as an alternative for soil nutrient ame a reasonable yield that is able to meet the nutritional needs of man and livestock.L.) is one of the world`s most popular oil seed crop, cultivated in the tropical and subtropical part of the world (Olayinka and Etejere, 2013).It contains about 45 to 50% oil, 25 to 30% protein, 20% carbohydrate, 5% each of fibre and ash, all which makes it a substantial contribution to human nutrition (Fageria 2010).It is also a rich source of phosphor, potassium, calcium and magnesium, as well as vitamin E, K and B (Savage and . (2005) reported groundnut seed consumption as a supplement for the staple carbohydrate food where protein food of animal origin is unaffordable.
The high nutrient demand of this crop from the soil has limited its yield potentials. Inorganic fertilizer application have as soil amendment to help increase groundnut yield, especially in commercial production; however, its prolong use have been associated with soil degradation, oil acidity (Obi and Ebo, 1995; friendly amendment practice is gaining attention from researchers, as several studies have been conducted on soil amendment from organic sources farm yard manure to vermicompost amongst others, all of which have been repo to enhance yield in groundnut also (Veluchamy et al., 2010; .Received in revised form: 16 June 2015.A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the influence of ground and unground rice straw application as organic manure groundnut seeds, at the University of Ilorin teaching and research farm.The field layout was a split plot Complete Randomized Block Design with four replications.The ground and unground rice straw were in the main plot and differe the rice straw (0; 1,250; 2,500; 3,750 and 5,000 kg /ha) were in the subplots.The results revealed that ground and unground rice straws at 1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha application rates significantly increased (p < 0.05) yield attributes such as p 42.70), number of seeds (45.67-77.33),seeds' weight (13.55 38.05 g) as well as some aspect of proximate composition such as ash content, crude protein and crude fats which 47.13% respectively, in order of their mention.The forgoing study revealed that ground and unground rice straw applied at the rate of 1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha can serve as an alternative for soil nutrient ame a reasonable yield that is able to meet the nutritional needs of man and livestock.
application rates, groundnut, proximate composition, rice straw, yield attribute www.notulaebiologicae.ro Print ISSN 2067-3205; Electronic 2067 ):176-180.DOI: 10.15835/ L.) is one of the world`s most popular oil seed crop, cultivated in the tropical and subtropical part of the world (Olayinka and Etejere, 2013).It contains about 45 to 50% oil, 25 to 30% protein, 20% ich makes it a substantial contribution to human nutrition (Fageria et al., 2010).It is also a rich source of phosphor, potassium, calcium and magnesium, as well as vitamin E, K and B (Savage and . (2005) reported groundnut seeds consumption as a supplement for the staple carbohydrate food The high nutrient demand of this crop from the soil has limited its yield potentials. Inorganic fertilizer application have as soil amendment to help increase groundnut yield, especially in commercial production; however, its prolong use have been associated with soil degradation, oil acidity (Obi and Ebo, 1995; Basel friendly amendment practice is gaining attention from researchers, as several studies have been conducted on soil amendment from organic sources farm yard manure to vermicompost amongst others, all of which have been reported ., 2010; The global production of rice straw amounts to approximately 731 million tons annually (Binod Only 20% of the declared amount were used for purposes as ethanol, paper and fertilizer production, as well as fodders for animals consumption (El remaining 80% is left on the field for burning or decomposition.This contributes to atmospheric pollution and soil nutrient lo In order to increase the rice straw percentage in use and minimize the usual burning practice, the present research was conducted to evaluate the effect of ground and unground rice straw on yield and proximate composition of harvested groundnut seeds

Experimental site
The experiment was conducted at the University of Ilorin Botanical Garden, Ilorin.The experimental site was situated between longitude 27.810 of 7.5.

Experimental design and treatment details
The experimental layout was a split plot design with a gross plot dimension of 24.50 × 9.50 m.The net consisting of four ridges with inter net-plot arrangement followed a complete randomized design A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the influence of ground and unground rice straw application as organic manure groundnut seeds, at the University of Ilorin teaching and research farm.The field layout was a split plot Complete Randomized Block Design with four replications.The ground and unground rice straw were in the main plot and differe the rice straw (0; 1,250; 2,500; 3,750 and 5,000 kg /ha) were in the subplots.The results revealed that ground and unground rice straws at 1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha application rates significantly increased (p < 0.05) yield attributes such as p 77.33), seeds' weight (13.55 38.05 g) as well as some aspect of proximate composition such as ash content, crude protein and crude fats which 47.13% respectively, in order of their mention.The forgoing study revealed that ground and unground rice straw applied at the rate of 1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha can serve as an alternative for soil nutrient ame a reasonable yield that is able to meet the nutritional needs of man and livestock.The global production of rice straw amounts to approximately 731 million tons annually (Binod Only 20% of the declared amount were used for purposes as ethanol, paper and fertilizer production, as well as fodders for animals consumption (El remaining 80% is left on the field for burning or decomposition.This contributes to atmospheric pollution and soil nutrient loss.
In order to increase the rice straw percentage in use and minimize the usual burning practice, the present research was conducted to evaluate the effect of ground and unground rice straw on yield and proximate composition of harvested groundnut seeds when applied to the soil as organic manure.

Experimental site
The experiment was conducted at the University of Ilorin Botanical Garden, Ilorin.The experimental site was situated between longitude 27.810 1 N and 8°28.230 of 7.5.

Experimental design and treatment details
The experimental layout was a split plot design with a gross plot dimension of 24.50 × 9.50 m.The net consisting of four ridges with inter plot arrangement followed a complete randomized design A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the influence of ground and unground rice straw application as organic manure groundnut seeds, at the University of Ilorin teaching and research farm.The field layout was a split plot Complete Randomized Block Design with four replications.The ground and unground rice straw were in the main plot and differe the rice straw (0; 1,250; 2,500; 3,750 and 5,000 kg /ha) were in the subplots.The results revealed that ground and unground rice straws at 1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha application rates significantly increased (p < 0.05) yield attributes such as p 77.33), seeds' weight (13.55-25.56g) and hundred seed weight 38.05 g) as well as some aspect of proximate composition such as ash content, crude protein and crude fats which 47.13% respectively, in order of their mention.The forgoing study revealed that ground and unground rice straw applied at the rate of 1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha can serve as an alternative for soil nutrient ame application rates, groundnut, proximate composition, rice straw, yield attribute www.notulaebiologicae.ronsb.8.2.9823 The global production of rice straw amounts to approximately 731 million tons annually (Binod Only 20% of the declared amount were used for purposes as ethanol, paper and fertilizer production, as well as fodders for animals consumption (El-Gammal remaining 80% is left on the field for burning or decomposition.This contributes to atmospheric pollution and In order to increase the rice straw percentage in use and minimize the usual burning practice, the present research was conducted to evaluate the effect of ground and unground rice straw on yield and proximate composition of harvested when applied to the soil as organic manure. ethods

Experimental site
The experiment was conducted at the University of Ilorin Botanical Garden, Ilorin.The experimental site was situated between longitude 4°38.920 1 E and 28.230 1 N.The soil was sandy

Experimental design and treatment details
The experimental layout was a split plot design with a gross plot dimension of 24.50 × 9.50 m.The net consisting of four ridges with inter plot arrangement followed a complete randomized design June 2016.Published online:

Original Article
Effects of Ground and Unground Rice Straw on the Yield and Proximate Arachis hypogeae L.) OLAYINKA, Emmanuel O. ETEJERE eotejere@yahoo.com A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the influence of ground and unground rice straw application as organic manure groundnut seeds, at the University of Ilorin teaching and research farm.The field layout was a split plot Complete Randomized Block Design with four replications.The ground and unground rice straw were in the main plot and differe the rice straw (0; 1,250; 2,500; 3,750 and 5,000 kg /ha) were in the subplots.The results revealed that ground and unground rice straws at 1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha application rates significantly increased (p < 0.05) yield attributes such as pods' number wit 25.56 g) and hundred seed weight 38.05 g) as well as some aspect of proximate composition such as ash content, crude protein and crude fats which ranged between 47.13% respectively, in order of their mention.The forgoing study revealed that ground and unground rice straw applied at the rate of 1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha can serve as an alternative for soil nutrient amendment in groundnut as it The global production of rice straw amounts to approximately 731 million tons annually (Binod Only 20% of the declared amount were used for purposes as ethanol, paper and fertilizer production, as well as fodders for Gammal et al., 2001), while the remaining 80% is left on the field for burning or decomposition.This contributes to atmospheric pollution and In order to increase the rice straw percentage in use and minimize the usual burning practice, the present research was conducted to evaluate the effect of ground and unground rice straw on yield and proximate composition of harvested when applied to the soil as organic manure.
The experiment was conducted at the University of Ilorin Botanical Garden, Ilorin.The experimental site was situated E and 4° 39.971 1 E and latitude The soil was sandy-loam with a pH

Experimental design and treatment details
The experimental layout was a split plot design with a gross plot dimension of 24.50 × 9.50 m.The net-plot was 2.0 × 2.0 m, consisting of four ridges with inter-row spacing of 0.15 m.The plot arrangement followed a complete randomized design Published online: 17 June 2016.

Original Article
Effects of Ground and Unground Rice Straw on the Yield and Proximate

ETEJERE
A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the influence of ground and unground rice straw application as organic manure on the groundnut seeds, at the University of Ilorin teaching and research farm.The field layout was a split plot Complete Randomized Block Design with four replications.The ground and unground rice straw were in the main plot and different the rice straw (0; 1,250; 2,500; 3,750 and 5,000 kg /ha) were in the subplots.The results revealed that ground and ods' number with 25.56 g) and hundred seed weight ranged between 47.13% respectively, in order of their mention.The forgoing study revealed that ground and ndment in groundnut as it The global production of rice straw amounts to approximately 731 million tons annually (Binod et al., 2010).Only 20% of the declared amount were used for purposes such as ethanol, paper and fertilizer production, as well as fodders for 2001), while the remaining 80% is left on the field for burning or decomposition.This contributes to atmospheric pollution and In order to increase the rice straw percentage in use and minimize the usual burning practice, the present research was conducted to evaluate the effect of ground and unground rice straw on yield and proximate composition of harvested when applied to the soil as organic manure.
The experiment was conducted at the University of Ilorin Botanical Garden, Ilorin.The experimental site was situated E and latitude 8 loam with a pH The experimental layout was a split plot design with a gross plot was 2.0 × 2.0 m, row spacing of 0.15 m.The plot arrangement followed a complete randomized design

Original Article
on the groundnut seeds, at the University of Ilorin teaching and research farm.The field layout was a split plot nt the rice straw (0; 1,250; 2,500; 3,750 and 5,000 kg /ha) were in the subplots.The results revealed that ground and h 25.56 g) and hundred seed weight ranged between 47.13% respectively, in order of their mention.The forgoing study revealed that ground and ndment in groundnut as it The global production of rice straw amounts to 2010).such as ethanol, paper and fertilizer production, as well as fodders for 2001), while the remaining 80% is left on the field for burning or decomposition.This contributes to atmospheric pollution and In order to increase the rice straw percentage in use and minimize the usual burning practice, the present research was conducted to evaluate the effect of ground and unground rice straw on yield and proximate composition of harvested The experiment was conducted at the University of Ilorin Botanical Garden, Ilorin.The experimental site was situated 8°l oam with a pH The experimental layout was a split plot design with a gross plot was 2.0 × 2.0 m, row spacing of 0.15 m.The plot arrangement followed a complete randomized design with four replications, each of ground and unground rice straw at different application rates: T1 = 1,250 kg/ha; T2 = 2,500 kg/ha; T3 = 3,750 kg/ha; T4 = 5,000 kg/ha and T0 = 0 kg/ha.

Mineral analysis of rice straw
The rice straw sample used was analysed for both macro and micro nutrients.Total nitrogen was determined by micro-Kjedhal method as adopted by Bremner (1996).Total phosphorus was determined by the ammonium molybdate /vanadate yellow colour method following ternary acidperchloric-nitric-sulphuric acid wet digestion (Anderson and Ingram, 1994), total boron by azomethane-hydrogen method following Ternary acid digestion (Jones, 1991).Total cations: calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were determined by atomic spectrophotometer.Elements such as sodium (Na) and potassium (K) were analysed using flame photometry following a wet digestion with perchloric-sulphuric ternary acid (Anderson and Ingram, 1994).Sulphur was determined by turbidometry, organic matter and ash content using the method described by Okalebo et al. (2002), while organic carbon was determined using Walkley-Black method as detailed by Nelson and Sommer (1982).

Field planting
The field was mechanically ploughed to loosen the soil after which ground and unground rice straw, at different application rates, were incorporated into the soil at a depth of 0.1 m.Thereafter, ridges were made by the use of hoe.The plots were watered to saturation point daily for a period of two weeks to enable rapid decay of the rice straw.Viable 'MK373' groundnut seeds, collected from College of Agriculture Mokwa, were sown at a depth of 0.03 m and a spacing of 0.1 m following a pretreatment of the seeds with 500 mg/kg dress Force ® 42WS (20% imidacloprid, 20% metalaxyl -M and 2% tebuconazole).Hand weeding was done to remove weeds at an interval of two weeks throughout the period of the experiment.Since the experiment was carried out during the dry season 2,500 L of water were used to irrigate the plots to saturation point at interval of forty eight hours (48 hours) throughout the period of the investigation.

Yield attributes
Number of fully developed pods was manually counted from each of the representative plants and the average was obtained as the number of matured pods per plant.The pod weight was also obtained by the use of a weighing balance after air drying to 12% moisture level.The average was then recorded as the mean pod weight; thereafter, the shells were removed and the seeds were manually counted and recorded; they were weighed and the mean was recorded as average seeds' weight, whereas 100-seeds weight was also determined.

Proximate analysis of the groundnut seeds
Proximate composition of air dried groundnut seeds before planting and at harvest was determined according to the methods of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC, 2000).Moisture content was determined by drying 2 g of air dried seeds in an oven at 105 °C for 5 hours.Ash content was determined by incinerating 2 g of sample in a muffle furnace at 600 °C for 3 hours, until a greyish ash was formed.Crude fibre was determined by extracting 2.0 g of the ground sample with hexane, in a thimble, for 6 hours, to free the fat sample.
Thereafter, the sample was hydrolysed using 1.25% tetraoxosulphate (vi) acid to remove digestible nutrient in the fat; it was then filtered and the resulting filtrate was incinerated in a muffle furnace at 600 °C for 30 min, cooled in a desiccator and weighed.Crude protein was calculated by multiplying factor (%N × 6.25) following a % nitrogen determination by the Kjedhal method using 2 g of ground seed samples.Crude fat was determined by manually extracting 2 g of samples with 150 ml petroleum ether in a soxhlet extractor at a boiling point of 60-80 °C.Total carbohydrate was determined by subtracting the sum of ash, crude protein, crude fibre, crude fat and moisture from one hundred seeds.

Data analysis
Data were analysed using Analysis of Variance (F test) with Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 16.0.Significant test results followed the Duncan multiple range Test (DMRT) at 5% level of probability for identification of important contrasts.

Mineral analysis of rice straw before planting
The proximate composition of rice straw before its application as manure is shown in Table 1.Rice straw contained moderate organic carbon (1.08%), high organic matter (75%), was very rich in phosphorus (1,170.00mg kg -1 ), rich in calcium, magnesium and sulphur (470.30,320.0 and 390.40 mg kg -1 respectively), also had a solid content of iron and zinc (500.25 and 330.50 mg kg -1 ), while other mineral elements such as boron, potassium, manganese, copper and sodium had relatively low values (4.0, 1.5, 115 mg kg -1 ) respectively.The results showed that rice straw was rich in organic matter and other mineral nutrient necessary for plant growth.Similar results were obtained by Olayinka and Etejere (2013).

Yield attributes of groundnut
The effects of ground and unground rice straw at different application rate on yield attributes are shown in Table 2. Ground and unground rice straw at 1,250 kg/ha application rates significantly increased (p < 0.05) the number of pods and pod weight when compared to all other application rates.No significant effect was recorded for pod length at all application rates.Number of seeds per plant, seeds' weight and 100-seeds weight were The increased number of pods per plant and pod weight per plant could be traced to the large amount of calcium and potassium resulting from accelerated mineralization of the rice straw; Jana et al. (1990) has reported increased number of pods per plant, pod weight, pod yield and oil yield in groundnut plant upon increased potassium level of the soil on account of organic manure mineralization.
Enhanced seeds' attributes in 1,250 kg/ha and 2,500 kg/ha application rates over all other treatment was traceable to enhanced rate of decomposition of the applied rice straw (Das et al., 2003).This result was similar that of Muneshwar et al. (2001) regarding the response of wheat on farm yard manure, rice and wheat crop residue.

Proximate composition of groundnut seeds Moisture content
Moisture content of groundnut seeds before planting was 7.80% (Table 3).Regardless of the application rates, groundnut raised under unground rice straw retained more moisture compared to ground rice straw.
Plants grown within 5,000 and 3,750 kg/ha ground and unground rice straw application rates recorded significantly the highest moisture content of seeds compared to all other application rates.Ground and unground rice straw applied at the rate of 1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha had significantly low moisture content of harvested seeds.
The result was a clear indication that seeds harvested from low rice straw treatment rate will have a longer storage life span.Moisture content has been reported to be of importance in seed storage, because of the correlation between the lower the moisture content of food, the higher the storability (Ajayi and Adedire, 2007).

Ash content
The ash content of the seeds before planting was 2.29% (Table 3).Ground and unground rice straw applied at the rate of 2,500 and 1,250 kg/ha significantly increased the ash content of groundnut seeds compared to all other application rates.Rice straw at 3,750 and 5,000 kg/ha application rates had no significant effect on the ash content (Table 3).The increase in ash content of 2,500 and 1,250 kg/ha rates could be due to the increase in soil  4).Superscript with same letters were not significantly different at p < 0.05; T0 = control, T1 = 1,250 kg/ha, T2 = 2,500 kg/ha, T3 = 3,750 kg/ha and T4 = 5,000 kg/ha ).Superscript with same letters were not significantly different at p < 0.05; T0 = control, T1 = 1,250 kg/ha, T2 = 2,500 kg/ha, T3 = 3,750 kg/ha and T4 = 5,000 kg/ha potassium, resulting from the mineralization of the straws at optimum concentration, since the major component of ash is potassium (Shaharadeen and Seran, 2013).This result was in agreement with the ash content reported by Atasie et al. (2009) and Olayinka and Etejere (2013) which were 2.4-3.08% and 2.4 -3.10% respectively.

Crude fibre
The percentage of crude fibre of groundnut seeds before planting was 3.40% (Table 3).In both ground and unground rice straw application forms, 5,000 kg/ha rice straw application rate significantly increased (p < 0.05) the percentage of fibre content.Thus, 3,750 kg/ha application rate also followed the same trend, except in ground rice straw, where the increase was insignificant.
The result depicts a correlation between the percentage of moisture content and the crude fibre.The trend noticed in the content of crude fibre may be probably similar to what was adduced for the percentage moisture content of the seeds.The result which ranged between 3.14-3.79%was at variance with those of Quass (1995), Shahardeen and Seran (2013) or Olayinka and Etejere (2013) who reported a range of 6.00-6.60%,5.95-7.3%and 7.5-9.12%respectively.

Crude protein
Crude protein of groundnut seeds before planting was 30.81% (Table 3).Regardless of the application form, rice straw at 2,500 kg/ha application rate significantly increased (p < 0.05) the percentage of crude protein of the harvested seeds.All other application rates had no significant effect on the crude protein (Table 3).
The increase in crude protein may be traced to enhanced availability of potassium for plant use, resulting from the mineralization of rice straw at optimum concentration.Potassium is required for every major step in protein synthesis, therefore increased protein synthesis with increasing potassium availability and uptake by groundnut plant could form the basis for the increase in seed protein content.
Similar results were obtained by Musa et al. (2010) who reported 31.3%crude proteine, but at variance with Atasie et al. (2009) who reported 38.61%.The differences could be due to genetic variation in the groundnut seeds.

Crude fat
The percentage of crude fat of groundnut seeds before planting was 46.88% (Table 3).Ground and unground rice straw applied at the rate of 1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha significantly increased (p < 0.05) the crude fat of the harvested seeds compared to all other application rates; however, 3,750 kg/ha ground and unground rice straw application rates had no significant effect on the crude fats (Table 3).
The increase in crude fat observed in 1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha application rate could be attributed to the low moisture content in the seeds.The result which ranged between 45.59-46.90%was in agreement with data obtained by Thakur et al. (2005), Atasie et al. (2009), Shawad et al. (2010), Olayinka and Etejere (2013).

Total carbohydrate
Total carbohydrate of groundnut seeds before planting was 8.82% (Table 3).Ground rice straw had no significant effect on seed's total carbohydrate at all application rate considered, with the exception in the case of unground rice straw applied at the rate of 2,500 kg/ha which significantly increased the total carbohydrate content of seeds.
The total carbohydrate ranged between 5.52-6.60%,thus being similar with the results obtained by Olayinka and Etejere (2013), who reported a range between 4.99-10.27%,but at variance with Atasie et al. (2009), who reported 18.1% for carbohydrate content in groundnut.The variation may be due to varietal differences.

Conclusions
In conclusion, the forgoing research had shown that lower application rate of both ground and unground rice straw (1,250 and 2,500 kg/ha) positively influenced the yield attributes and some aspects of proximate composition such as ash, crude protein and crude fats for groundnut seeds.
Veluchamy Mathivanan et al Received: 20 Apr Effects of Ground and Unground Rice Straw on the Yield and Proximate Composition of Groundnut ( Abdul'Aziz AYINLA*, Bolaji U Nigeria;

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Not Sci Biol, 2016, 8(2 Effects of Ground and Unground Rice Straw on the Yield and Proximate Composition of Groundnut ( Abdul'Aziz AYINLA*, Bolaji U. OLAYINKA, Emmanuel O University of Ilorin, Faculty of Life Science, Department of Plant Biology, PMB 1515, Ilorin, (*corresponding author); Effects of Ground and Unground Rice Straw on the Yield and ProximateComposition of Groundnut ( . Received in revised form: Not SciBiol, 2016, 8(2):176-180Effects of Ground and Unground Rice Straw on the Yield and Proximate Composition of Groundnut (Arachis hypogeae 16 June 2015.Accepted: 1 Effects of Ground and Unground Rice Straw on the Yield and Proximate

Table 1 .
Mineral analysis of rice straw

Table 2 .
Yield attributes of groundnut

Table 3 .
Pre-planting and postharvest proximate composition of air-dried groundnut seeds