Assessment of morphological and chlorophyll content traits in Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterannea [verdc L.])

Abstract

Background: Bambara groundnut has promising economic potential due to its various uses such as food, medicinal and agronomic benefits. To date, there are no significant breeding efforts aimed at cultivar development and the crop remains underutilised.

Aim: To characterise and identify Bambara groundnut landraces using agro-morphological and chlorophyll traits to identify breeding lines for cultivar development.

Setting: The experiment was conducted in Limpopo and North West provinces (Loskop and Molelwane research farms).

Methods: This study used randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replications.

Results: Analysis of variance revealed significant variations among most of the landraces used. Highly significant positive correlations were observed for most of the traits recorded. The principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that the first six principal components contributed 78.34% of the total variability among the test genotypes that were being evaluated. The biplot and dendrogram further grouped the landraces according to traits associated with them. Shannon Weaver’s diversity index showed a wide variability among the accessions in qualitative morphological traits.

Conclusion: The agro-morphological traits and chlorophyll content characterisation showed significant variability within the landraces tested. These findings would be beneficial for breeders to choose the desirable traits associated with the Bambara groundnut landraces in the breeding programme for the development of new breeding population.

Contribution: The identified superior landraces will be utilised by the small-scale and large-scale commercial farmers for direct cultivation and marketing, and can be used as parents in breeding programmes.