Evaluation of Bambara Groundnut Varieties for Off-season Production in Zimbabwe

Early planting of bambara groundnuts (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc) in the southern Africa enables farmers to fetch premium prices before the markets are flooded with produce from the main summer growing period. However, adaptation of the crop outside the main growing season has not been studied in Zimbabwe. Therefore, this study evaluated 20 varieties at four planting dates covering contrasting temperatures and daylength, at Harare Research Station, during 2000/2001. Planting date was the main plot factor replicated three times and cultivar the subplot. Standard agronomic practices were followed and adequate moisture supplied through supplementary irrigation. Both the planting dates and variety main effects were significant (P<0.05) for yield and most of the secondary traits. Planting date x genotype interaction (G x E) effects were not significant (P<0.05) for yield, suggesting that cultivars were relatively yield stable. However, G x E effects were significant (P<0.05) for days to 50% emergence and pod count plant-1. Differences among varieties were attributable to genotypic effects and different photothermal conditions. August and September planting dates resulted in high dry pod yield. Varieties BS599, BS537, V2-17, BS520, and Variety-10, had high relative yield, and were the most promising for off-season planting.