Variability estimates and search for earliness in a large heterogeneous population of Groundnut germplasm

Abstract

Seven hundred sixty eight Spanish bunch groundnut germplasm were screened for earliness using eight short duration elite cultivars as check in the field condition during rainy season 2001. The population showed wide range of variation for pod weight per plant, kernel weight per plant, shelling percent, hundred kernels weight and pod maturity percent recorded at eighty days Alicia germination (DAG). Forty-two genotypes recorded more than seventy percent pod maturity at eighty days after germination. Sixteen genotypes out of forty-two selected genotypes confirmed their carlincss in next post rainy season also having other desirable agronomic characters. These short duration germplasm would be useful as such or in the breeding program as donor parents.