Performance Evaluation of Groundnut Varieties Under Agro Ecologies of Guji Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Research Article

Austin J Plant Bio. 2024; 10(1): 1044.

Performance Evaluation of Groundnut Varieties Under Agro Ecologies of Guji Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Belachew Dabalo*; Deresa Shumi; Tekalign Afeta; Rehobot Niguse

Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Bore Agricultural Research Center, Pulse Crops Research, P.O. Box 21, Bore, Ethiopia

*Corresponding author: Belachew Dabalo Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Bore Agricultural Research Center, Crop Protection Research, PO Box 21, Bore, Ethiopia Email: balexdebelo8@gmail.com

Received: December 16, 2023 Accepted: January 26, 2024 Published: Februzry 02, 2024

Abstract

Groundnut is one of the three economically important oilseeds grown in Ethiopia. This crop is usually grown as a food crop and a cash crop by smallholder farmers in the study area. The area has potential to the production of Ground nut for food and nutrition security as well as export. However, the lack of environmentally suitable varieties is one of the biggest obstacles to production. To this end, the experiment was conducted in three districts Adola Redde, Oddo Shakiso and Goro dola and two kebeles from each district but because of security problems only one kebele was selected at Goro dola. The objective of the study was to evaluate and identify the adaptable, best performing variety in agronomic traits and high yielding at study area. Ten improved groundnut varieties were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Combined analysis of variance showed existence of statistically significant differences (P<0.01) among varieties for all traits except plant height. Sedi and Werer 961 were the earliest to maturity while Baha-gidu and Tole-1 were late matured varieties. The average kernel yield of overall locations ranged from the lowest of 1211 kg ha-1 for Fayo variety to the highest of 2317kg ha-1 for Babile-1 variety. Baha-gudo and Tole-1 were the two highest varieties in hundred seed weight but Sedi was the lowest in hundred seed weight. Babile-1 variety was the top-ranking variety to overall farmer’s field followed by Werer-961 and Baha-gudo. Therefore, Babile-1, Werer-961 and Baha-gudo were identified as the best varieties to be demonstrated and popularized in the study areas and other similar agro-ecologies in respective order.

Keywords: Adaptability; Agronomic trait; High yielding; Varieties

Introduction

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), also referred to as peanut, earthnut, or monkey-nut, is an annual herbaceous crop that is self-pollinating and indeterminate [1]. It is one of the most important oilseed crops in the world (Upadhyaya et al., 2010) and ranked as the fourth most important oilseed crop and the thirteenth most important food crop (Surendranatha et al., 2011). Its seeds contain approximately of 50% edible oil, with the remaining 50% containing high-quality protein (36.4%), carbohydrates in the range of 6–24.9%, minerals, and vitamins [3]. Nuts can be eaten raw, roasted, or boiled, while the oil extracted from the seeds is used for culinary purposes. It also generates significant cash income for a number of small-scale producers and foreign exchange.

Moreover, it serves as an industrial raw material and animal feed [14]. Because groundnuts are legumes, they fix atmospheric nitrogen in soils, increasing soil fertility and reducing the need for fertilizer in ensuing crops. This is especially crucial in light of the growing cost of chemical fertilizers, which makes it harder for small-scale farmers to afford them (Simtowe et al., nd).

From 26.4 million hectares of producing area, the globe produced about 38.2 million tons of groundnuts annually. One of the five oil-seed crops that are commonly grown in Ethiopia is groundnut (Gezahagn, 2013). This crop is mostly grown by the traditional farming population in rain-fed environments. According to CSA (2018), the estimated gross annual output in Ethiopia was 1,451,728.20 quintals, equating to an area of around 80,841.57 hectares. Oromia region (41,089 ha) is Ethiopia's largest groundnut producing region, with Benshangul-Gumuz (14,759 ha) and Amhara (3,161 ha) regional states following [15]. In some areas of western Ethiopia, groundnut is cultivated in both the main season (June) and the "Belg" season (March).

Ethiopia's groundnut production is significantly lower than the global average (1.52 ton ha-1) at less than 1.1 tons ha-1. Ethiopia has a very low seed yield, according to Amare (1987) and EARO (2000). The primary causes of this poor yield include a lack of high-yielding varieties, insufficient soil fertility, and restricted access to outside inputs.

Improved groundnut varieties are not yet being produced in the zones' potential locations, especially in the Guji zone, even though the area's soil type and weather are ideal for producing groundnuts. As a result, one of the main causes of the low yield level in the research area is the absence of high yielding and stable varieties. Therefore, it is imperative to introduce the improved variety to the zones' prospective areas. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify adaptable and high yielding improved groundnut varieties that are appropriate for the midlands to low-altitude areas of Guji zones.

Material and Methods

The test was carried out in the potential producing areas of Guji zone at Oddo Shakkiso in two kebeles' (Banti-korbo and Diba-bate), Goro-dola in one kebele (Sirba) and Adola Rede in two kebeles' (Dole and Kiltu-sorsa) during 2019 cropping season. A total of ten (10) improved groundnut varieties were evaluated for the study. It was arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications at all locations. Each entry consisted of four rows of 3m length with 60cm between rows and 10cm between plants. To reduce border effect, data was taken from the central two rows. Weeding and other management practices were done as required. Fertilizer was applied at the rate of 121kg NPS per hectare at the time of planting.

Data Collection and Analysis

Data were recorded on days to 50% flowering, number of branches, plant height (cm), days to maturity, numbers of matured pods per plant, numbers of seeds per pod, 100- seed weight (g) and kernel yield (kg/ha). The unshelled pods were sun dried for two weeks and shelled to estimate kernel yield. The analysis of variance for each location and combined analysis of variance over locations were computed using the SAS program (SAS institute, 2011) versions 9.3. The significance of mean differences was tested by Least Significant Difference (LSD) as stated in Gomez and Gomez (1984).

Results and Discussions

Combined Analysis of Variance

Pooled analysis of variance showed highly significant differences (P<0.01) among varieties for days to flowering, days to maturity, NSPP, HSW (g) and KY except plant height. There were also observed significant variations (P<0.05) in NB and NPPP. Similar result was reported by Ejigu et al. (2020) and Biru and Darajje (2014) who stated days to flowering, days to maturity, number of branches, NPPP, NSPP, HSW(g) and KY but in contrary to this result plant height has significant variation among varieties according to these scholars.

Mean Performances of Agronomic Traits of Groundnut Varieties

The analysis of variances revealed that there is significant variation in important traits among varieties except plant height which is statistically non-significant. According to this finding, the minimum number of days to flowering was recorded on the variety, sedi (43.67 days) which is statistically similar with werer 961 variety (44 days) followed by Fayo (45 days) whereas Roba, Babile-2, Baha-gidu and Tole-1 required maximum days to flowering (Table 2).