Abstract
Groundnut production in Uganda is constrained by groundnut rosette disease (GRD), the main cause of yield loss experienced by farmers. We conducted the current study to assess the responses of improved groundnuts to diseases (rosette and late leaf spot) and yield under local conditions. Four released groundnut genotypes (Serenut 5R, Serenut 8R, Serenut 9T and Serenut 14R) were evaluated in four locations in northern Uganda for two seasons in 2019. We established the experiment following randomised complete block design with three replications. GRD severity (harvest) and late leaf spot (LLS) severity (harvest) on the four genotypes were not significantly (P > 0.05) different but positively correlated with the Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC). Genotype-by-location interaction for LLS AUDPC, GRD AUDPC and dry pod yield were significant (P < .001). Season-by-genotype interaction was not significant (P = 0.367). Days to 50% flowering were also not significant (P > 0.05). Highest and lowest yields were recorded for Serenut 9T in the Omoro district (1,291 kg/acre) and the Amuru district (609 kg/acre), respectively. Dry pod yield was significantly (P < 0.001) negatively correlated with GRD severity and GRD AUDPC. Yield performance of the four genotypes was not significantly (P < 0.05) different in the districts, except for Kitgum, where yields of Serenut 9T and Serenut 8R were significantly (P < 0.05) higher. These genotypes could be used to manage GRD by smallholder farmers in Northern Uganda. Special consideration should therefore be given to these four groundnut genotypes for GRD management in the Acholi sub-region.
Highlights
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oil seed crop in arid and semi-arid regions of the world (Thakur et al, 2013)
A highly significant difference (P < .001) in late leaf spot (LLS) severity at harvest, LLS Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) and groundnut rosette disease (GRD) AUDPC was recorded for genotype by location interaction
Highest and lowest LLS severity was recorded on Serenut 14R in Amuru District and Serenut 8R in Omoro District, respectively
Summary
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oil seed crop in arid and semi-arid regions of the world (Thakur et al, 2013). In Uganda, the groundnut is the second most important food legume after beans (Okello et al, 2014b). The crop provides multiple benefits to smallholder farmers in rural areas. It is a cheap source of protein to households with limited access to expensive animal diets (Rachier, 2005). The crop is a source of household income This makes groundnut an important food security crop in both rural and urban areas of Uganda (Obuo et al, 2004). While groundnut is hugely important as highlighted above, its productivity in Uganda is still very low, estimated at less than 800 kg/ha yet yields as high as 2500 kg to 3000 kg/ha can be achieved (Okello et al, 2017; Okello et al, 2014a). A combination of biotic (pests and diseases), abiotic (drought at critical stages) and socio-economic factors are key limitations to the productivity of groundnut
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