The performance of different landraces of Bambara groundnuts grown at different plant population densities in the Lusaka province of Zambia

Abstract

Although Bambara groundnuts (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) has a high production, utilization and economic potential in Zambia, its production is still very low (average yield being below 750kg/ha) with many underexploited research areas for its improved production.The objectives of this trial which was conducted during 1990/91 growing season in a four replica split-plot using four landraces and five planting densities as main plot and sub-plot factors respectively, were to examine some environmenttal influence on performance of Bambara groundnut, to identify suitable landraces of Bambara groundnut for Lusaka province of Zambia and to find out if the landraces differed in their planting density requirement. The results indicate no significant differences in yield and growth performance among landraces in which case none of them can be grown in the area because of Cercospora leafspots and Fusarium wilt. However, the results were seriously affected by adverse weather conditions and diseases. The highest yield was only 8.7 g/plot. The established plant population densities could not be maintained throughout the experiment due to high plant deathrate caused by Fusarium wilt disease. Thus, no clearcut recommendations can be made from this experiment. Therefore, a repeated experiment is important for more accurate and reliable conlusions