EVALUATION OF MUTANT GENOTYPES OF GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogaea L) FOR IMPROVED AGRONOMIC TRAITS AND STABILITY

Abstract

Groundnut productivity in Ghana is generally low when compared to other countries. The low yields can be partly attributed to unstable rainfall patterns, pest and disease infestation, and low yielding ability of varieties cultivated by farmers. The present study was undertaken to evaluate groundnut genotypes for yield and stability performances and early maturing genotypes with other superior agronomic traits. Four groundnut mutant genotypes (150 Gy, 200 Gy, 250 Gy and 300 Gy) and the unirradiated control (0 Gy) which served as standard check were evaluated at three locations namely Nyankpala, Bawku and Techiman, in the Guinea savannah, Sudan savannah and Transitional agroecological zones of Ghana respectively. This was done during the major cropping seasons of the years 2017 and 2018. Growth and yield parameters were collected for statistical analyses using GenStat (12 edition). The results revealed that earlier mutagenesis carried out on these genotypes had a great potential to improve upon the yield and some important traits in the genotypes such as; early flowering, maturity and yield. Genotype 200 Gy, recorded the highest results in terms of the above mentioned traits i.e (Days to 50% flowering 24.61; Days to maturity, 89 and Total grain yield, 1.68). Plants from the 200 Gy genotypes should be subjected to proximate analysis to check the nutritional quality, disease and pest tolerance. Genotype 200 Gy, is recommended for release to farmers in the Guinea Savannah agroecological zone.