Authors : N.I.C. Onwubiko, O.B. Odum, C.O. Utazi and P.C. Poly-Mbah
Abstract: Field experiment was conducted on the adaptability of bambara groundnut in humid rain forest tropical zones with six local accesssions in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data was collected on the yield and yield attributes and analysed with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means separated by Least Significant Difference (LSD p = 0.05). Correlation studies were carried out to determine the relationshipbetween yield and yield attributes. Results of analysis of variance showed significant differences in plant height, canopy diameter and petiole length and no significant differences in number of stem and dry matter weight (biomass) among accessions. Correlation analysis between yield attributes and fresh pod weight indicated positive correlation in all cases. However, plant height and number of stems had a near perfect positive correlation signifying that the higher the height of the plant the greater the yield. The performance ranking of the accessions showed that AC-01 had the best overall performance while AC-05 had the least. Conclusively, the crop is apparently adaptive to the study area (especially, tall growing accessions) and can contribute immensely in food and nutritional security in this agroecological zone.
N.I.C. Onwubiko, O.B. Odum, C.O. Utazi and P.C. Poly-Mbah, 2011. Studies on the Adaptation of Bambara Groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc] in Owerri Southeastern Nigeria. Agricultural Journal, 6: 60-65.