Screening of groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) genotypes for yield performance in three agro-ecological zones of Tanzania

Abstract

Groundnut is one of the most important oilseed crops and the most important food crop in the world. It is one of the four economically important oilseeds grown in Tanzania. Groundnut is normally produced by small-scale farmers, particularly women, as leverage crop for both food and cash crops in all Tanzanian agricultural and ecological zones. However, its production is constrained by several biotic and abiotic factors. The presence of environmental effects on the genotype performance (G*E) is one of the major constraints of production. This study sought to evaluate and identify widely adapted and high-yielding genotypes in three agro-ecological zones of Tanzania. A total of sixteen selected groundnut genotypes were evaluated under RCBD with three replications. Data on morphological traits, yield and yield components were collected and analysed. Results revealed the differential performance of the tested genotypes (p < 0.001). Three genotypes ICGIL 17113, NALX-22-18 and ICGV-SM 16528 have shown consistence performance across test environments that guaranteed the existence of potential to revert and combat both nutritional and better yield. The highest average yield was observed in genotype ICGV-SM 16528 having 1582 kg/ha while the lowest average yield was observed in genotype ICGV- SM 05534 having 733.05 kg/ha. Among the three genotypes, genotype ICGV-SM 16528 has shown consistent good performance across environments. As an oilseed crop, the nation may utilize those opportunities to solve the problem of the cooking oil insufficiency and nutritional issues of our communities since groundnut has important nutrients required for normal human health. Evaluated genotypes along with existing ones should be integrated in groundnut farming systems to enhance the production efficiency and the livelihoods of farming community. The breeders will use these findings to explore more genetic base of groundnuts for further improvement.