Terminal Leaflet Research Articles

Cardamine zhangjiajieensis, a new species of Brassicaceae in China

Cardamine zhangjiajieensis, a new species from Hunan Province, China, is described and illustrated. Cardamine zhangjiajieensis is similar to C. circaeoides. From the latter, C. zhangjiajieensis is readily distinguished by the terminal leaflet of the cauline leaf 4.5–7 cm (vs. 2.5–4.5 cm), mostly round or oblong (vs. oblong-oval to triangular-oval), margin undulating sinuses (vs. crenate or subentire), seed apically narrow wing (vs. wingless).

Taxonomic notes on Sophora phulangkaensis, a new species of Sophora (Fabaceae – Sophoreae) from Thailand based on morphological and molecular evidence

Sophora phulangkaensis is illustrated and newly described here. The species shows similarities with its congener, S. exigua, by having an obovate terminal leaf let and up to 15 leaflets but differs in the floralparts. A morphological comparison between the two species is provided along with a discussion. The phylogenetic place- ment of then ewspecies is presented and discussed based on molecular evidence by nuclear (ITS) and chloroplast markers (matK). The results suggest that the new species is nested into sect. Rubriflorae, which includes S. exigua and S. huamotensis. The circumscription of sect. Rubriflorae is expanded after being redefined by our findings. In addition, the updated key to species of the genus Sophora for the Flora of Thailand is given based on recent specimen observations. Additionally, lectotypes for S. exigua, S. tonkinensis, and S. violacea var. pilosa are designated.

Contributions to Astragalus sect. Dissitiflori in the light of morphological and molecular evidence: a new species and a new resurrect

Astragalus sublunatus is described as a new species from semi desert area of Semnan and Tehran provinces. The diagnostic characters and relevant description of the new species are given. It is distinguished from its closely related species, A. sitiens and A. ahangarensis, in having plicate inward leaflets, long and linear-lanceolate terminal leaflet and white petals in living time. It is also distinct from these species by molecular data, and along with them as well as A. bifoliolatus and A. moussavii formed a well-supported lineage. The distribution map and an illustration of the new species are also provided. Meanwhile, three accessions of A. sitiens were phylogenetically distinct from the rest of its conspecific members. They are morphologically well fitted with the characteristics of A. angustatus and thus, it was resurrected as a distinct species.

Hegnera obcordata (Fabaceae: Desmodieae), a newly recorded genus and species for the flora of China

Hegnera obcordata (Miq.) Schindl., is reported here as a newly recorded genus and species for the flora of China. It was collected from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province and Changjiang, Hainan Province. As a member of the tribe Desmodieae, H. obcordata can be easily distinguished from other genera by its climbing habit, depressed obovate terminal leaflet with an obcordate apex, and pods with U-shaped articles and deeply indented upper sutures. This study provides a detailed morphological description, phenology, distribution map and colored photographs of H. obcordata. Additionally, an updated dichotomous key to the Chinese Desmodieae genera is provided.

Morphological and pomological assessments of seedling-originated walnut (Juglans regia L.) trees to select the promising late-leafing genotypes.

In many parts of the world, including Iran, walnut (Juglans regia L.) production is limited by late-spring frosts. Therefore, the use of late-leafing walnuts in areas with late-spring frost is the most important method to improve yield. In the present study, the phenotypic diversity of 141 seedling genotypes of walnut available in the Senejan area, Arak region, Markazi province, Iran was studied based on morphological traits to obtain superior late-leafing genotypes in the cropping seasons of 2022 and 2023. Based on the results of the analysis of variance, the studied genotypes showed a significant variation in terms of most of the studied morphological and pomological traits. Therefore, it is possible to choose genotypes for different values ​​of a trait. Kernel weight showed positive and significant correlations with leaf length (r = 0.32), leaf width (r = 0.33), petiole length (r = 0.26), terminal leaflet length (r = 0.34), terminal leaflet width (r = 0.21), nut length (r = 0.48), nut width (r = 0.73), nut weight (r = 0.83), kernel length (r = 0.64), and kernel width (r = 0.89). The 46 out of 141 studied genotypes were late-leafing and were analyzed separately. Among late-leafing genotypes, the length of the nut was in the range of 29.33-48.50mm, the width of the nut was in the range of 27.51-39.89mm, and nut weight was in the range of 8.18-16.06g. The thickness of shell was in the range of 1.11-2.60mm. Also, kernel length ranged from 21.97-34.84mm, kernel width ranged from 21.10-31.09mm, and kernel weight ranged from 3.10-7.97g. Based on important and commercial traits in walnut breeding programs, such as nut weight, kernel weight, kernel percentage, kernel color, and ease of kernel removal from nuts, 15 genotypes, including no.92, 91, 31, 38, 33, 18, 93, 3, 58, 108, 16, 70, 15, 82, and 32 were superior and could be used in walnut breeding programs in line with the introduction of new cultivars and the revival of traditional walnut orchards to commercialize them.

Morphometric diversity of some Nigerian accessions of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea)

AbstractThis study evaluated the morphological diversity of some Nigerian accessions of Bambara groundnut. Field experiments were conducted in Nigeria in two locations and the phenotypic variation of Bambara groundnut accessions evaluated in 3 years (2017–2020) using a randomized complete block design. Twenty-eight quantitative and 10 qualitative traits were observed. Twenty-three out of the 28 quantitative morphological traits showed significant differences. TVSu-589 (28.85) and TVSu-670 (28.57) had the highest plant height; TVSu-572 (121.52), TVSu-271 (113.10) and TVSu-336 (104.15) had the highest 100-seed weight. Genetic variations were also observed in seed colour, terminal leaflet shape, petiole colour and eye pattern. Principal component analysis showed PC1 constituting 23.36% and PC2 constituting 15.76% of the total variation, while the first eight principal components with eigenvalues ≥1 revealed 77.28% of the total variation. Cluster analysis grouped the accessions into four groups. Based on yield data in this study, accessions TVSu-594, TVSu-350, TVSu-336, TVSu-1242, TVSu-129, TVSu-14, TVSu-179, TVSu-2100, TVSu-261 and TVSu-589 were the best for yield and are recommended for further evaluation to improve yield. This study showed that a wide range of diversity exists in Bambara groundnut of Nigerian origin that could be useful for further utilization of genetic resources and improvement.

Agro-Morphological Variability of Wild Vigna Species Collected in Senegal

The domesticated Vigna species still need some of the beneficial characters that exist in the wild Vigna species, despite the improvements obtained so far. This study was carried out to enhance our understanding of the Senegalese wild Vigna diversity by exploring the agro-morphological characteristics of some accessions using 22 traits. The phenotyping was carried out in a shaded house for two consecutive rainy seasons (2021 and 2022) using the alpha-lattice experimental design with 55 accessions. Multiple correspondence analysis was carried out based on the qualitative traits, which showed considerable variability for the wild species (Vigna unguiculata var. spontanea, Vigna racemosa, Vigna radiata and the unidentified accession). The quantitative traits were subjected to statistical analysis using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. Our results revealed that ninety-five percent (95%) pod maturity ranged from 74.2 to 125.8 days in accession 3 of V. unguiculata and in accession 92 (V. racemosa), respectively. In addition, accession 14 of V. radiata recorded the highest weight for 100 seeds with a value of 4.8 g, while accession 18 of V. unguiculata had the lowest (1.48 g). The ANOVA showed significant differences for the accessions during each season (p ≤ 0.05). Seasonal effects (accession × season) were observed for some quantitative traits, such as the terminal leaflet length and width, time to 50% flowering and 95% pod maturity, pod length and 100-seed weight. Principal component analysis showed that reproductive traits, such as the time to 50% flowering, number of locules per pod, pod length, pod width and 100-seed weight, were the major traits that accounted for the variations among the wild Vigna accessions. The genetic relationship based on qualitative and quantitative traits showed three clusters among the wild Vigna accessions. Indeed, the diversity observed in this study could be used to select parents for breeding to improve the cultivated species of Vigna.

Morpho-Diversification Study on Cluster Bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. (Taub)] Using Distinctiveness (D), Uniformity (U) and Stability (S) Descriptors

The present investigation was conducted in the month of January to April, 2022 in Poothurai village of Villupuram district to assess, evaluate and identify the morphological variations in cluster bean accessions. One hundred and two genotypes, collected from different geographic locations of the country were utilised for the study. The cataloguing of qualitative and quantitative descriptors was done based on the Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability standards provided by PPV & FRA, 2001. Twenty-two descriptors with sub-groups were taken for the study. The qualitative trait includes; plant type, leaf pubescence, leaf serration, leaf shape, petiole length, terminal leaflet length, leaf color, flower color, immature pod color, seed shape and seed coat color. The quantitative trait comprises of plant height, number of primary branches, days to maturity, days to 50 % flowering, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per cluster, pod length, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, seed size and gum content. The genotypes were scored according to their characteristic feature in each of the sub-groups and their frequency of occurrence was recorded. The present study clearly indicates the utilization of DUS standards and their importance in conservation, maintenance and protection of accessions in order to ensure their use in development of novel varieties.

A new species of Oxalis sect. Thamnoxys (Oxalidaceae) from the state of Bahia, Brazil

Oxalis jacobinensis, a new species of Oxalis sect. Thamnoxys, is described from the State of Bahia, in the northern sector of the Chapada Diamantina mountains. It can be distinguished from other species of the section by the leaves usually grouped at the stem apex, terminal leaflet blades rhombic-ovate to lanceolate, usually appearing grayish when fresh on the abaxial side, pedicels articulated at ca. 1/3 of their length, usually leaving a conspicuous foot, and capsules with two-seeded carpels narrowing distally, and abaxially covered with short stalked glandular hairs. We provide a description, illustrations, a geographic distribution map, a preliminary evaluation of its conservation status, and taxonomic notes.

Polyploid Induction and Identification of Rosa roxburghii f. eseiosa.

Rosa roxburghii f. eseiosa Ku is a variety of Rosa roxburghii, with two known genotypes: Wuci 1 and Wuci 2. The lack of prickle on the peel of R. roxburghii f. eseiosa makes it easy to pick and process, but its fruit size is small. Therefore, we aim to induce polyploidy in order to obtain a larger fruit variety of R. roxburghii f. eseiosa. In this study, current-year stems of Wuci 1 and Wuci 2 were used as materials for polyploid induction, which was carried out through colchicine treatment coupled with tissue culture and rapid propagation technology. Impregnation and smearing methods were effectively used to produce polyploids. Using flow cytometry and a chromosome counting method, it was found that one autotetraploid of Wuci 1 (2n = 4x = 28) was obtained by the impregnation method before primary culture, with a variation rate of 1.11%. Meanwhile, seven Wuci 2 bud mutation tetraploids (2n = 4x = 28) were produced by smearing methods during the training seedling stage. When tissue-culture seedlings were treated with 20 mg/L colchicine for 15 days, the highest polyploidy rate was up to 60%. Morphological differences between different ploidys were observed. The side leaflet shape index, guard cell length, and stomatal length of the Wuci 1 tetraploid were significantly different from those of the Wuci 1 diploid. The terminal leaflet width, terminal leaflet shape index, side leaflet length, side leaflet width, guard cell length, guard cell width, stomatal length, and stomatal width of the Wuci 2 tetraploid were significantly different from those of the Wuci 2 diploid. Additionally, the leaf color of the Wuci 1 and Wuci 2 tetraploids changed from light to dark, with an initial decrease in chlorophyll content followed by an increase. In summary, this study established an effective method for inducing polyploids in R. roxburghii f. eseiosa, which could provide a foundation for the breeding and development of new genetic resources for R. roxburghii f. eseiosa and other R. roxburghii varieties in the future.

Genetic Analyses of Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] Breeding Traits for Selecting Superior Genotype(s) Using Multivariate and Multi-Traits Indexing Approaches.

Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] is an important food, feed, and cash crop in rice-based agricultural ecosystems in Southeast Asia and other continents. It has the potential to enhance livelihoods due to its palatability, nutritional content, and digestibility. We evaluated 166 diverse mungbean genotypes in two seasons using multivariate and multi-traits index approaches to identify superior genotypes. The total Shannon diversity index (SDI) for qualitative traits ranged from moderate for terminal leaflet shape (0.592) to high for seed colour (1.279). The analysis of variances (ANOVA) indicated a highly significant difference across the genotypes for most of the studied traits. Descriptive analyses showed high diversity among genotypes for all morphological traits. Six components with eigen values larger than one contributed 76.50% of the variability in the principal component analysis (PCA). The first three PCs accounted for the maximum 29.90%, 15.70%, and 11.20% of the total variances, respectively. Yield per plant, pod weight, hundred seed weight, pod length, days to maturity, pods per plant, harvest index, biological yield per plant, and pod per cluster contributed more to PC1 and PC2 and showed a positive association and positive direct effect on seed yield. The genotypes were grouped into seven clusters with the maximum in cluster II (34) and the minimum in cluster VII (10) along with a range of intra-cluster and inter-cluster distances of 5.15 (cluster II) to 3.60 (cluster VII) and 9.53 (between clusters II and VI) to 4.88 (clusters I and VII), suggesting extreme divergence and the possibility for use in hybridization and selection. Cluster III showed the highest yield and yield-related traits. Yield per plant positively and significantly correlated with pod traits and hundred seed weight. Depending on the multi-trait stability index (MTSI), clusters I, III, and VII might be utilized as parents in the hybridization program to generate high-yielding, disease-resistant, and small-seeded mungbean. Based on all multivariate-approaches, G45, G5, G22, G55, G143, G144, G87, G138, G110, G133, and G120 may be considered as the best parents for further breeding programs.

Chemical, Anatomical, and Productivity Responses of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) to Integrated Biofertilizer Applications with PGPR, Cyanobacteria, and Yeast

Integrated biofertilizers such as Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPRs), cyanobacteria, and yeast can considerably improve the growth, integrity, and overall health of crops, including cowpea. In this study, we assess the benefits of applying microbial fertilizers as an eco-friendly approach to partially substitute chemical fertilizers while maintaining growth and yield characteristics in cowpea plants. We investigated the role of the three microorganisms, Bacillus amyloliquefacien (B), Nostoc mucorum (C), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Y), individually and in four possible combinations (B + C, B + Y, C + Y, and B + C + Y) as integrated bio-fertilizers on the microbial enzyme activities, plant growth parameters, and yield characteristics of cowpea. Plants inoculated with B + C + Y mixture resulted in significant improvement in dehydrogenase enzyme activity by 390%, chlorophyll by 180%, plant dry weight by 130%, and in the pod length and dry weight by 68% and 190%, respectively, compared to non-inoculated plants. The grain total carbohydrates increased by 170% over the control due to treatment with B + C + Y. The B + C + Y treatment also positively influenced the anatomy of the terminal leaflet with a 16.6% higher thickness of the midrib zone, 22.6% increase in vascular bundle length, and 42.4% and 33.5% increases in upper and lower epidermal leaf layers, respectively. Additionally, palisade and spongy tissues increased by 36.9% and 26.5%, respectively, compared to the control. An integrated nutrient management program using biofertilizers is recommended for achieving higher yields and environmentally safe cowpea production.

Rubus lentianus, a new species from Austria and Germany—another piece of the puzzle from a European hotspot of Rubus series Radula

A new nemophilous tetraploid bramble species, Rubus lentianus of the series Radula, occurring in Central Europe (Upper Austria and Lower Bavaria), is described. Deeply incised terminal leaflets of primocane leaves and a long, abruptly narrowing apex separate it from species of this series. An identification key, a distribution map, a list of revised specimens, a scan of the type specimen, pen drawings and photographs of living specimens are provided.

Agro-Morphological Variability in Eight Bambara Groundnut (<i>Vigna subterranea</i> (L.) Verdc.) Morphotypes from Zinder (Niger)

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) has economic importance for the producers and the traders as cash crop since it generates substantial income for households in Niger. The objective of this study was to assess eight (8) Bambara groundnut morphotype from Université André Salifou de Zinder in Niger Republic by their morphological and agronomic characters. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications during the rainy season of 2020-2021. Data were collected on the Number of leaves, Plant height (cm), Growth habit (cm), Terminal leaflet length, Terminal leaflet width, Number of nodes/stem, Number of stems/plant, Number of pods/plant, Weight of 100 pods (g), Weight of 100 seeds (g), Length of seeds (mm), Width of seeds (mm), Weight of seeds/Plot (kg). There were significant differences for all characters, except Number of leaves, Terminal leaflet length, Terminal leaflet width, Length of seeds (mm) Weight of 100 pods (g), Weight of 100 seeds (g). The morphotypes UZ-VZ-04, UZ-VZ-03, UZ-VZ-06, UZ-VZ-02 and UZ-VZ-05 have demonstrated good performance for grain weight per plot and can be useful for a breeding program.

Phenological, Morphological and Agronomic Characterization of Bambara Groundnut Genotypes on Plinthite Soil in East-centre Area, Burkina Faso

Bambara groundnut has long been a neglected and understudied crop. Thanks to the new orientations for the développement of agriculture and achievement of food security in Burkina Faso, in recent years, studies on Bambara groundnut have experienced renewed interest. Despites nutritional, agronomic and socio-economic importance and some studies carried out on this crop. The diversity within Bambara groundnut cultivated remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to assess phenological morphological and agronomic characterization of 20 Bambara groundnut accessions from National Institute for the Environment and Agricultural Research (INERA) genebank. The experimental device used was a completely randomized Fisher blocks with four replications on the site of University Centre of Tenkodogo. These accessions were evaluated on 23 morphological characters including four qualitative characters and 19 quantitative characters. Qualitative traits showed high proportion of oval terminal leaflet shape (70%), cream coloured seeds (45%) and 80% presence of eyes of various shapes and colours. The analysis of quantitative characters showed all the characters are discriminating except the plant spread (PlS) at the 5% treshold with regard to morphological, physiological and agronomic traits and low coefficient of variation (CV) values for the different phenological characters, except for the number of days from sowing to 50% plantlet emergence (EMG50). Pearson correlation matrix indicated positive and negative correlation. Most of the negative correlation was observed between phenological and agronomic traits The dendrogram showed organization of the variability in three different groups on the basis of the physiological, phenological and agronomic traits. The variability expressed among INERA gene bank genotypes showed important variability, which can be exploited in Bambara groundnut breeding programs using the clustering and associations of characters.

Association mapping for important agronomic traits in wild and cultivated Vigna species using cross-species and cross-genera simple sequence repeat markers.

The genus Vigna is an agronomically important taxon, with many of its species inhabiting a wide range of environments and offering numerous useful genes for the improvement of the cultivated types. The present study aimed to detect the genomic regions associated with yield-attributing traits by genome-wide association mapping. A diverse panel of 98 wild and cultivated Vigna accessions (acc.) belonging to 13 different species was evaluated for yield and related traits during the kharif season of 2017 and 2018. The panel was also genotyped using 92 cross-genera and cross-species simple sequence repeat markers to study the population genetic structure and useful market-trait associations. The PCA and trait correlation established relationships amongst the traits during both seasons while 100-seed weight (HSW) had a positive correlation with pod length (PL), and days to first flowering (DFF) with days to maturity (DM). The population genetic structure analysis grouped different acc. into three genetically distinct sub-populations with SP-1 comprising 34 acc., SP-2 (24 acc.), and SP-3 (33 acc.) and one admixture group (7 acc.). Mixed linear model analysis revealed an association of 13 markers, namely, VR018, VR039, VR022, CEDG033, GMES0337, MBSSR008, CEDG220, VM27, CP1225, CP08695, CEDG100, CEDG008, and CEDG096A with nine traits. Seven of the aforementioned markers, namely, VR018 for plant height (PH) and terminal leaflet length (TLL), VR022 for HSW and pod length (PL), CEDG033 for DFF and DM, MBSSR008 for DFF and DM, CP1225 for CC at 30 days (CC30), DFF and DM, CEDG100 for PH and terminal leaflet length (TLL), and CEDG096A for CC30 and chlorophyll content at 45 days were associated with multiple traits. The marker CEDG100, associated with HSW, PH, and TLL, is co-localized in gene-encoding histone-lysine N-methyltransferase ATX5. Similarly, VR22, associated with PL and HSW, is co-located in gene-encoding SHOOT GRAVITROPISM 5 in mungbean. These associations may be highly useful for marker-assisted genetic improvement of mungbean and other related Vigna species.

Astrocytes exhibit diverse Ca2+ changes at subcellular domains during brain aging.

Astrocytic Ca2+ transients are essential for astrocyte integration into neural circuits. These Ca2+ transients are primarily sequestered in subcellular domains, including primary branches, branchlets and leaflets, and endfeet. In previous studies, it suggests that aging causes functional defects in astrocytes. Until now, it was unclear whether and how aging affects astrocytic Ca2+ transients at subcellular domains. In this study, we combined a genetically encoded Ca2+ sensor (GCaMP6f) and in vivo two-photon Ca2+ imaging to determine changes in Ca2+ transients within astrocytic subcellular domains during brain aging. We showed that aging increased Ca2+ transients in astrocytic primary branches, higher-order branchlets, and terminal leaflets. However, Ca2+ transients decreased within astrocytic endfeet during brain aging, which could be caused by the decreased expressions of Aquaporin-4 (AQP4). In addition, aging-induced changes of Ca2+ transient types were heterogeneous within astrocytic subcellular domains. These results demonstrate that the astrocytic Ca2+ transients within subcellular domains are affected by aging differently. This finding contributes to a better understanding of the physiological role of astrocytes in aging-induced neural circuit degeneration.

Ultrastructural view of astrocyte arborization, astrocyte-astrocyte and astrocyte-synapse contacts, intracellular vesicle-like structures, and mitochondrial network.

The complexity of astrocyte morphology and syncytial coupling through gap junctions are crucial for astrocyte function in the brain. However, the ultrastructural details of astrocyte arborization and interactions between neighboring astrocytes remain unknown. While a prevailing view is that synapses selectively contact peripheral astrocyte processes, the precise spatial-location selectivity of synapses abutting astrocytes is unresolved. Additionally, knowing the location and quantity of vesicles and mitochondria are prerequisites to answer two emerging questions - whether astrocytes have a signaling role within the brain and whether astrocytes are highly metabolically active. Here, we provided structural context for these questions by tracing and 3D reconstructing three neighboring astrocytes using serial block-face scanning electron microscopy. Our reconstructions reveal a spongiform astrocytic morphology resulting from the abundance of reflexive and leaflet processes. At the interfaces, varying sizes of astrocyte-astrocyte contacts were identified. Inside an astrocyte domain, synapses contact the entire astrocyte, and synapse-astrocyte contacts increase from soma to terminal leaflets. In contrast to densely packed vesicles at synaptic boutons, vesicle-like structures were scant within astrocytes. Lastly, astrocytes contain dense mitochondrial networks with a mitochondrial volume ratio similar to that of neurites. Together, these ultrastructural details should expand our understanding of functional astrocyte-astrocyte and astrocyte-neuron interactions.

Screening for drought tolerance in cowpea at the flowering stage

Drought is one of the major threats to cowpea productivity in tropical countries, and understanding its impacts is germane in ensuring food security in a global context. The present study was established to screen some accessions of cowpea for drought tolerance at the flowering stage in pots under the controlled conditions of a screen house. High significant differences were observed among accessions for wilting and recovery traits, stomatal conductance, relative water content (RWC), terminal leaflet length (TLL) and width (TLW), stem girth, and yield parameters under drought stress. In addition, drought stress caused a significant reduction in morphological traits and RWC between the initial and the final values. Based on cluster and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), accessions were separated into different classes of tolerance. Direct selection for wilting traits, stomatal conductance, morphological traits, and recovery parameters showing high heritability (≥ 60%), GAM (≥ 20%), and PCA (≥ 0.4) will be effective. Hence, four major classes of tolerance were determined: AC03, AC08, and AC10 were highly susceptible. AC01 and AC04 were moderately susceptible. AC06, AC07, and AC09 were moderately tolerant, while AC02 and AC05 were the highly tolerant accessions. The moderately tolerant and the highly tolerant accessions showed a combination of superior resistance to wilting, superior recovery rates, and superior yield attributes. They also showed lower stomatal conductance, higher RWC, and low reduction of RWC, TLW, and stem girth under drought stress compared to the susceptible ones.

Characterization and Evaluation of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) for Yield and Related Traits in Asosa Zone, Northwestern Ethiopia

Bambara groundnut, a future emerging legume, is usually known as a poor man’s crop or as “women’s crop” and newly noted as crop for new millennium. In this context, a field experiment was conducted during 2019/20 cropping season at Sonka testing site of Asosa zone in northwestern Ethiopia with objective to estimate the variability of Bambara groundnut genotypes with respect to important quantitative and qualitative traits. Treatments consisted in 20 accessions collected from five distracts of Benishangul Gumuz province in northwestern Ethiopia. The treatments were laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. All the qualitative characteristics recorded for genotypes showed different modalities and frequencies at vegetative stage with 70.12% of the fully expanded leaflet colour, 74.26% oval terminal leaflet shape, 76.24% petiole green colour, 78.22% stem green colour, 88.27% sparse hair on their stems, 70.41% spreading types, 81.33% rounded base with a point at the top, 90.11% yellowish brown pods at harvest, and 90.06% oval shaped seeds. With respect to quantitative traits, genotypes AMN/04/013, AMN/04/014, AMN/04/015, AMN/04/019, and AMN/04/020 gave relatively higher grain yield (>2000 kg/ha) with the highest grain yield recorded for genotype AMN/04/016. Thus, these genotypes showed relatively better adaptation at tested location. Higher correlation values were observed for days to maturity, plant height, number of stems per plant, pods per plant, seed per pod, and HSW, indicating that these traits are very important to be used in selection for the crop improvement. Agronomic and morphological evaluations have provided more accurate estimation of genetic diversity, the raw material of plant breeding. In general, this study enabled to determine how the influential traits direct to improve Bambara groundnut genotypes.