Response of selected Groundnut Genotypes to irrigated and non-irrigated conditions

Abstract

Groundnut is among the most important crops for smallholder farmers in semi-arid regions, providing both food, feed and income for households. The main objective of this study was to strengthen groundnut production by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe using available improved genotypes. The specific objectives of this study were to evaluate morphological traits of groundnut genotypes under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions and to assess various groundnut yield parameters under these conditions. Selected qualitative and quantitative characters were assessed during the development of the groundnut crop under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions in sandy soils. A Randomized Complete Block Design was used in the field experiment and data subjected to a two way analysis of variance using Genstat 13th Edition. ANOVA was done at 5% least of significant difference (LSD) to check for the differences between the 12 genotypes across the irrigated and non- irrigated conditions. Prior to analysis, data were subjected to normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test and normal square root transformation was done where necessary. From the analyses, there were significant differences across the 12 genotypes for quantitative characters plant height, pod length and number of pods per plants. For all the genotypes yield was higher under irrigated conditions for both unshelled and shelled weight. Most genotypes exhibited dynamic stability with higher yields under irrigated conditions except for SC Orion that out yielded all the genotypes with 2.8 t /ha shelled weight under non-irrigated conditions. Accordingly, SC Orion is recommended for production by farmers in sandy soils of Natural Region IV.