Abstract
Vigna subterranea is an indigenous African legume widely cultivated across the continent. It is a highly diverse crop exhibiting diversity in morpho-agronomic characteristics. This genetic diversity is also crucial for crop improvement as it determines which breeding strategy/ methodology to utilize in its improvement. The study evaluated the diversity in morpho-agronomic characteristics of different accessions of Bambara groundnut. ‘TVSu596’ exhibited the highest germination percentage (100 %) and shortest days to 50 % flowering (40 days) while ‘TVSu11’ had the highest number of leaves (146). Qualitative evaluation revealed the diversity existing in their morphological characteristics. Elemental analysis showed the accessions are rich in mineral elements and exhibit diversity. Principal component analysis revealed 83.37 % of total variations in morphological and yield traits by the first three principal axes. Traits such as number of leaves, petiole length, and days to 50 % flowering furnish most of the variations. Cluster analysis revealed the accessions clustered into 4 groups. These accessions are therefore recommended for utilization in development of improved cultivars or early-maturing varieties.
Highlights
Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. popularly known as bambara groundnut is an indigenous African legume crop which is widely cultivated across the continent (Mkandawire, 2007)
V. subterranea is a highly diverse crop in terms of its size of seeds, colour of seeds, plant height, eye colour, eye patterns, hilum colour and patterns, and other morpho-agronomic characteristics (Ouedraogo et al, 2008; Akpalu et al, 2013). This genetic diversity is the basis for adaptation and survival of the species and makes it easy for them to adapt to changing of environmental conditions (Rao et al, 2002; Sevik et al, 2010)
This study comparatively assessed the genetic variability in the morpho-agronomic traits and mineral elements present in seeds of seven colour variants of V. subterranea
Summary
Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. popularly known as bambara groundnut is an indigenous African legume crop which is widely cultivated across the continent (Mkandawire, 2007). V. subterranea is a highly diverse crop in terms of its size of seeds, colour of seeds, plant height, eye colour, eye patterns, hilum colour and patterns, and other morpho-agronomic characteristics (Ouedraogo et al, 2008; Akpalu et al, 2013). This genetic diversity is the basis for adaptation and survival of the species and makes it easy for them to adapt to changing of environmental conditions (Rao et al, 2002; Sevik et al, 2010). This study comparatively assessed the genetic variability in the morpho-agronomic traits and mineral elements present in seeds of seven colour variants of V. subterranea
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