TITLE:
Selection of High Yielding and Farmers’ Preferred Genotypes of Bambara Nut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc) in Malawi
AUTHORS:
Lawrent Pungulani, Davie Kadyampakeni, Lucius Nsapato, Modester Kachapila
KEYWORDS:
Genotype Characterisation; Genebank; Vigna subterranea
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.3 No.12A,
December
31,
2012
ABSTRACT: Bambara nut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc) is a nutritious
legume, however, its production is characterised by use of landraces, which
have been maintained by farmers. Lack of improved varieties has contributed to
low yields. This re- search was done to identify potentially high yielding
and farmers’ preferred genotypes for improved production of Bambara in Malawi.
A completely Randomised Block Design experiment with eight genotypes (181CR,
181RD, 194, 137CR, 137RD, 317, 2762 and 2768) and four replicates was
implemented at Chitedze, Chitala and Mbawa Research Sta- tions to identify high
yielding genotypes. In addition to the yield, farmers’ criteria based on plant
vigour, ability to fully bury its pods in the ground (mounding), yield at
harvest, maturity period, seed colour, grain size, taste of boiled dry grain
and taste of fresh pods were used to identify farmers’ preferred genotypes.
Significant yield differences were identified between genotypes (P kg/ha) followed by 2768 (1066 kg/ha), 181RD (1064 kg/ha) and
2762 (841 kg/ha). In contrast to the high yielding genotypes, genotype 137RD gave
the lowest yield (485 kg/ha) followed by 194 (573 kg/ha), 317 (617 kg/ha) and
137CR (620 kg/ha). Mbawa Research Sta- tion showed significantly high yields
with site mean of 1177 kg/ha compared with Chitedze and Chitala with site means
of 703 kg/ha and 530 kg/ha respectively. Farmers ranked the eight accessions
in order of importance as follows: 181RD, 181CR, 2768, 137CR, 194, 137RD, 2762
and 317. Combination of yield and farmers’ preference identified three geno- types (181RD,
181CR and 2768) as potential varieties for production in Malawi. Accessions
181RD and 2768 were specifically selected for relish unlike 181CR, which has
been selected for use as snack. However, further research on nutrition, value
addition and marketing needs to be conducted on the identified genotypes.