Diversity in Morphological Characteristics of Bambara Groundnut Accessions Imported from IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.), an indigenous African legume of the Fabaceae family, is renowned for its resilience under adverse environmental conditions, making it a vital "famine crop." This study aimed to assess the genetic variability and heritability of 24 quantitative traits among 84 Bambara groundnut accessions cultivated during the kharif season of 2024 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Mandya. An augmented design was used, and traits were analyzed using statistical tools, including phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation (PCV and GCV), heritability, genetic advance, skewness, and kurtosis. Substantial phenotypic variability was observed in traits such as pod number, seed yield, and plant spread. High PCV and GCV values, coupled with high heritability and genetic advance, were noted for traits like seed yield, number of pods per plant, number of leaves, and test weight, suggesting additive gene action and strong potential for selection-based improvement. Skewness and kurtosis analyses indicated the presence of gene interactions and the genetic architecture underlying trait distributions. The findings provide a basis for effective selection in Bambara groundnut breeding programs aimed at enhancing yield and adaptability.