ASSESSMENT OF THE MORPHOLOGICAL CHARATERISTICS AND YIELD OF TEN GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogaea L.) VARIETIES GROWN IN WUKARI, SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNAH AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONE
This study evaluated the morphological characteristics and yield potentials of ten groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties cultivated in Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria, with the aim of assessing their genetic variability and nutritional composition. Conducted at the Federal University Wukari Teaching and Research Farm, the experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The analyses of proximate compositions of lipid, protein, carbohydrate, fiber, ash, and moisture content, indicated significant morphological diversity among the groundnut varieties; where Door possessed the highest lipid (40.80%) and protein (22.26%) contents, while Kampala recorded the highest protein content at 25.46%. Further, agronomic analysis revealed highly significant differences (p < 0.05) in days to 50% flowering, days to 95% maturity, and number of branches, reflecting substantial genetic variability among the varieties assessed. Notably, Erikasa produced the longest seed size (3.70 mm), while Dama recorded the highest 100-seed weight of 36.00 g. Thus, the study recommends the exploitation of the potential of Erikasa and Dama for breeding programmes that are targeted at enhancing yield in groundnut, alongside Door and Kampala for improving nutritional quality in Wukari.
Keywords: Groundnut, Morphological characteristics, Yield components, Nutritional composition, Genetic variability, Wukari.
