Studies on Aspects of Reproductive Biology and Pod Yield in Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterrenea (L.) Verdc)

ABSTRACT

Two field experiments were conducted in April and August, 2007 cropping season at the Department of Crop Science research farm, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to evaluate the pollen germination potentials, rate of pollen tube growth, floral, agronomic and yield attributes of thirteen bambara groundnut cultivars. The first experiment (early planting) was in April and the second (late planting) was in August 2007. The results obtained showed that 10 genotypes had significant effect on the pollen germination only at the late planting. In the early and late planting, pollen grains incubated immediately after harvest had the highest germination percentage, while pollen grains exposed for five minutes prior to in vitro germination showed very poor germination. Pollens exposed beyond five minutes after harvest did not germinate. Genotypes significantly (P