Variation in Seeds Physical Traits of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea) Collected in Cameroon
Journal Title: Journal of Experimental Agriculture International - Year 2016, Vol 12, Issue 2
Abstract
Vigna subterranea is a leguminous species which produces edible seeds (Bambara groundnut). Its seeds are included in the daily diet to compensate the lack of proteins in the food which occurs frequently in populations under the tropics. However information regarding the extent and pattern of variation in Bambara groundnut accessions in Cameroon is limited. The objective of this study was to estimate variation in seed physical traits of twelve Bambara accessions collected in different regions in Cameroon. Seeds of Twelve Bambara accessions were harvested in Janaury 2013 and kept for four months in the Laboratory of Botany and Plant Physiology of the University of Douala. Selection was based on their color. Individual seed length, width and thickness were measured as the physical traits. The seed characteristics were also calculated as the geometric mean diameter, sphericity, seed volume, seed surface area and the aspect ratio. Moisture content varied from 8.11 to 13.12%. Results revealed that there was a highly significant difference (p < 0.001) for all the studied physical traits and seed characteristics, indicating large variation in seed physical traits of Bambara groundnut in Cameroon. The mean length, width and thickness of Bambara seeds ranged from 9.68 to 11.75 mm; 8.73 to 10.46 mm and 8.12 to 10.30 mm, respectively. Large seeds had higher geometric mean diameters, volume and surface area. However, small seeds had higher sphericity and aspect ratio than large seeds. The seeds were irregular in shape and size, and highly spherical with high aspect ratio and will roll rather than slide. Thus variation between individuals has to be attributed to a high number of additive effects and parameters can be studied through selection as major candidates.
Authors and Affiliations
Ndiang Zenabou, Bell Joseph Martin, Ouattara Bassiaka, Mokake Seraphine Ebenye, Ngalle Hermine Bille, Fonceka Daniel
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP351300
- DOI 10.9734/AJEA/2016/20592
- Views 129
- Downloads 0
Yield Traits and Water Productivity Responses among Rice Varieties (Oryza sativa L.) Grown in A Fadama Ecosystem in Akure, Southwestern Nigeria
Drought is the most important factor limiting rice productivity under rainfed system of the humid tropics. Field experiments were conducted to determine the effects of soil water management strategies (growth on residual...
Modelling of Sodium Adsorption Ratio of the Soil Using Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System
Soil management for crop production is a major concern for sustainability agricultural. Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of the soil is needed to quantify the amount of amendments. The objective of this study was to evaluat...
Yield and Root Quality of Two Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam) Varieties as Influenced by Chicken Manure, Inorganic Fertilizer and Storage Methods
Two field experiments were conducted at two seasons at the University of Education, Winneba, Mampong-Ashanti campus to investigate the responses of the yield and root quality of two varieties of sweetpotato (Apomuden and...
Use of Vigor Tests in Cucurbit Rootstock Cultivars
Late and non-uniform emergence of rootstock seeds affect grafting efficiency in cucurbit species. As seeds age, (vigor decreases) they emerge later and the time to get graftable stage becomes longer. Therefore determinat...
Farmers’ Perceptions of the Effectiveness of the Cocoa Disease and Pest Control Programme (CODAPEC) in Ghana and Its Effects on Poverty Reduction
The study examined the contribution of the Cocoa Disease and Pest Control Programme (CODAPEC), which is a cocoa production-enhancing government policy, to reducing poverty and raising the living standards of cocoa farmer...