Genetic analysis and selection criteria in Bambara groundnut accessions based yield performance

The knowledge of genetic variability and breeding techniques is crucial in crop improvement programs. This information is especially important in underutilized crops such as Bambara groundnut, which have limited breeding systems and genetic diversity information. Hence, this study evaluated the genetic variability and established the relationship between the yield and its components in Bambara groundnut based on seed weight using multivariate analysis. A field trial was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications on 28 lines. Data were collected on 12 agro-morphological traits, and a statistical analysis was conducted using SAS version 9.4 software, while the variance component, genotypic and phenotypic coefficient variation, heritability, and genetic advance values were estimated. A cluster analysis was performed using NT-SYS software to estimate the genetic relations among the accessions. The results showed significant variability among the accessions based on the yield and yield component characteristics. The evaluated lines were grouped into seven primary clusters based on the assessed traits using the UPGMA dendrogram. Based on the overall results, G5LR1P3, G1LR1P3, G4LR1P1, G2SR1P1 and G3SR1P4 performed the best for the yield and yield components. These improved lines are recommended for large-scale evaluation and utilization in future breeding programs to develop high-yield Bambara groundnut varieties

Inheritance and genetic analysis of seed weight and associated traits in bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L.) genotypes

Knowledge of genetic variability within species of Bambara groundnut and the nature of breeding techniques are critical in this crop improvement programme. The importance of this information in underutilised crop species that mainly existing as landraces with limited information about their breeding systems and genetic diversity becomes important. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the genetic variability and to establish the relation between yield and its components in Bambara groundnut using multivariate analysis based on seed weight. To achieve this objective, firstly, a field trial was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications on five Bambara groundnut genotypes from Nigeria, namely; Giwa, Duna, Cancaraki, Jatau, and Maiki. Prior to the field evaluation, the seeds of each genotype were grouped into three seed weight categories namely large, medium and small-seed size. In the second experiment, 28 lines were selected based on top grain yield plants from each seed weight category from first generation of the previous field evaluation. Data were collected on 25 agro-morphological traits and statistical analysis was conducted using SAS version 9.4 software for the analysis of variance, while variance component, genotypic and phenotypic coefficient variation, heritability and genetic advance values were estimated. Cluster analysis was performed using NT-SYS software to estimate the genetic relations among the Bambara groundnut lines. The present study revealed significant levels of variability among the genotypes, seed size categories and interaction of genotypes and seed size categories for most of the yield and yield components. High values of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV≥20%) coupled with genetic advance (GA≥20%) was recorded for the number of medium seed weight per plant (GCV=36.76%, GA=36.15%), total large size seed weight per plant (30.34%, 28.26%), total medium size seed weight per plant (25.25%, 21.42%) and hundred seeds weight (20.02%, 29.29%), while moderate GCV (>10%) value was obtained for the total number of seed per plant (11.34%). Among the genotype and seed size combinations, G5S is the best for yield and yield component traits, while genotypes G3 is the best for yield and yield components, whereas among the seed size categories small seed size showed the high yield and yielding components. It was concluded from the second-generation progenies evaluation indicates that considerable amount of variation exists among Bambara groundnut cultivars for yield and yield components. Moderate broad sense heritability values couple with high genetic variance for growth traits such as wide plant canopy (52.17%) and number of branches (34.36%), while low broad sense heritability values (0 to 30%) were recorded for other traits. Almost all of the traits positively associated with the yield trait except the number of days to emergency, plant height, wide canopy, days to maturity, fresh and dried biomass weight. Finally, the lines evaluated were grouped into seven primary clusters using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) dendrogram based on the measured traits. Based on genetic diversity results and agronomic traits performance, improved lines, G5LR1P3, G1LR1P3, G4LR1P1, G2SR1P1 and G3SR1P4 performed best in terms of yield and yield components. These improved lines are recommended for large scale evaluation and utilisation in the future breeding programme for development of high yield Bambara groundnut varieties

Unveiling genetic diversity, characterization, and selection of bambara groundnut vigna subterranea L. verdc genotypes reflecting yield and yield components in tropical Malaysia

Addressing genetic diversity and application of appropriate breeding strategies are imperative for Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L.) improvement as a newly introduced legume in Malaysia. It has become a “miracle lucrative” legume for Asia and Africa because of its drought resilience, excellent nutritional profiles, and versatile uses. This crop’s progress has been limited owing to a lack of extensive research, marginalization, inadequate knowledge, and a lack of accessible funds, among other concerns. The expansion of this crop is reliant on the assessment and selection of unique and reliable breeding lines in various circumstances. Consequently, the goal of this work is to determine genetic diversity and the relationship between yield-contributing components in 44 Bambara groundnut accessions sourced from the Genebank of Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security (ITAFoS) at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Three replications were used in the experiment, which was done using a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The data were subjected to ANOVA, PCA, correlation, and heat map cluster analysis; also, genetic parameters and broad-sense heritability estimation were carried out on recorded phenotypic descriptors. All of the investigated variables had a significant variance ( or 0.01) according to the ANOVA results. Yield per hectare showed a positively strong to perfect significant correlation (; ) with the yield components viz. fresh pod weight, hundred seed weight, dry pod weight, and dry seed weight. Interestingly, these traits had and , which can be beneficial for direct selection to this crop improvement. The UPGMA clustering revealed five distinct clusters in which genotypes under cluster I, cluster II, and cluster IV produce a greater yield of 5.96%, 7.12%, and 15.05%, respectively, than the grand mean yield of 1927.01 kg/ha. The PCA biplot estimated that PC1 (32.9%) and PC2 (12.9%) would cover 45.8% of the total variance. We discovered 30 promising lines that provide yields per hectare more than 1.8 ton/ha and might be used as parental lines in future breeding operations aimed at improving the grain yield in tropical areas or comparable agroecological zones