Seasonal Variation and Pearson Correlation in Yield and Yield Components in Bambara Groundnut

Twelve cultivars of bambara groundnut were sown for evaluation of variability and genetic correlation among agronomic characters and seed yield in 2004 and 2005 in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Combined analysis of variance revealed highly significant effects (p<0.05) for genotypes (G), year (Y) and G x Y interaction for most characters evaluated. Estimates of genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation as well as broad sense heritability (H ) were also high for characters in 2004 when compared 2005 B cropping season. Pod length and width, seed length recorded 100% broad sense heritability estimates and high genetic advance; indicating that these characters are under additive genetic control and selection for genetic improvement will be worthwhile and may rapidly contribute to seed yield. The Pearson correlation, showed a positive and statistically significant (P<0.05) correlation coefficients between pod yield/plant and seed yield/h (0.52*); revealing that the more the pod number the higher the yield of bambara groundnut per hectare. This provides that pod yield/plant could respond to selection in bambara groundnut. Similarly, the correlation between pod width and pod length (r=0.86**), seed width (r=0.55*) and seed length (0.53*) were positive and significant. Furthermore, pod length had a positive and statistically significant correlation coefficient with 100 seed weight (r = 0.76**), pod width (r = 0.86**), seed width (r = 0.64**) and seed length (r = 0.75**). It was concluded that, the high significant positive correlation coefficients exhibited by these yield characters clearly indicates that much success may be expected in selection for a high seed yield in bambara groundnuts.