Groundnut variety introductions and breeding objectives in the sandy rainlands of the Sudan

Thirteen introduced and one local varieties of groundnuts (Arachis hypo- gaea) were evaluated comparatively and individually in the Sand Sheet and Pediplain soils in 1963-1965. The effect of added N and P fertilizer on each variety was also studied. All varieties did better on the Pediplain than on the Sand Sheet soils due to the better moisture retention properties of the former. The amount of seasonal rainfall affected greatly the yields and the magnitude of the response to fertilizers. The very low yields at Umm Higlig in 1965 suggested that fertilizer application could hardly be economical in seasons of poorly distributed rainfall. Although fertilizers increased markedly vegetative growth this was not always reflected in the yield of pods due probably to the lack of sufficient soil moisture at the reproductive stage. The upright bunch varieties seemed more adaptable to the area's short rainy season than the spreading bunch and runner varieties due to the earliness of the former. The runner varieties showed a greater resistance, long period of seed dormancy and high oil content appeared very important objectives for future breeding in the area under study.Tsangarakis C. Z., Gerakis P. A. Groundnut variety introductions and breeding objectives in the sandy rainlands of the Sudan. In: Journal d'agriculture tropicale et de botanique appliquée, vol. 16, n°6-8, Juin-juillet-août 1969. pp. 368-376