Agromorphological and Phenological Variabilities of 10 Bambara Groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. (Fabaceae)] Landraces Cultivated in Ivory Coast

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the agro-morphological and phenological characteristics of ten Bambara groundnut landraces that originated in the Ivory Coast. The study was conducted on an experimental plot at the University of Abobo-Adjame. The trial was set up according to a randomized complete block design with five replications. Twenty variables were used to identify the landraces. Landraces Ci1, Ci3, Ci10 and Ci12 exhibited high emergence percentages, early maturity within 90 DAS (days after sowing) and low vegetative/floral development. A high seed yield (388 to 495 kg/ha) was also obtained from these landraces. In contrast, a low seedling emergence rate, high vegetative development and yield (80 kg/ha) could be observed with landrace Ci9. This landrace reached maturity within 180 DAS. Landraces Ci2, Ci4, Ci5, and Ci8, on the other hand, reached maturity between 120-150 DAS. The principal component analysis conducted on the data obtained showed that the landraces with a high seed yield were early in terms of flowering and maturity, but presented low vegetative development, with limited foliage, secondary roots, leaf area and biomass. The physiological and agronomical traits presented by landraces that originated in the Ivory Coast could be exploited in Bambara groundnut varietal improvement programmes.

Keywords

• Bambara groundnut
• Vigna subterranea
• landrace
• variability
• agromorphological
• phenological
• Ivory Coast