Influence of drought at pod-filling stage on yield and yield components of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties of Ethiopia

Field experiments were conducted during two growing seasons to study the influence of drought stress at pod-filling stage i.e.,during 91 to 105 days after sowing (DAS) on yield and yield components of certain groundnut varieties of Ethiopia. Drought response index (DRI) which is the ratio of the shelled seed yield (qt ha(-1)) under drought to yield under control conditions, was used to categorize Ethiopian groundnut varieties into drought tolerant (DT) and drought susceptible (DS) types. Under control and drought conditions, DT types had significantly higher shelled seed yield, pod yield and number of pods plant(-1) while DS types had significantly higher 100 pods weight, 100 seeds weight and number of seeds pod(-1). Under drought conditions, the number of pods plant(-1) was higher in DT types and hence, pod yield plant(-1) was higher in DT types. Higher pod yield plant(-1) in DT types led to higher shelled seed yield (qt ha(-1)) in DT types. Based on the results of the present investigation, it is postulated that number of pods plant(-1) must be a trait linked to drought tolerance.