CHARACTERIZATION OF YIELD COMPONENTS IN CERTAIN GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogaea L.) VARIETIES OF ETHIOPIA

Documentation of yield components (pod and seed characteristics) in the groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties of Ethiopia has not been done so far and the same is not available in the literature. Such literature is required as it forms a platform for further studies in future on plant breeding programmes to improve the traits of this crop in Ethiopia. Hence, a study has been taken up to characterize the pods and seeds in certain important groundnut varieties released by Werer Agricultural Research Centre, Ethiopia. The parameters studied include individual seed weight, number of seeds per pod, 100 pods weight, 100 seeds weight and shelling percent. All the six varieties exhibited statistically significant variations in the studied parameters except shelling percent. Thus, a great extent of genetic diversity is found among the groundnut varieties in Ethiopia. Individual seed weight, 100 pods weight and 100 seeds weight were highest in the variety, Tole 2 while number of seeds per pod was highest in the variety, Werer 964. The parameters analyzed in this investigation were compared with previously available data on days to maturity, oil content and shelled seed yield. Correlation matrix of the studied parameters revealed some interesting relationships among them.