Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Genotypes at Assosa and Kamashi, Western Ethiopia

The lowland areas of Ethiopia have significant potential for increased oil crop production including groundnut. In Benishangul Gumuz Region, groundnut is cultivated in various zones and woredas under rain fed condition. However, due to insufficient improved groundnut varieties found in the region the productivity was low. Testing genotypes for the presence of variations and generation of genetic information is the first step in plant breeding to develop varieties for the targeted area of production. Keeping these in account the current study was conducted with the objectives of determining the genetic variability and trait association and their direct and indirect effects on yield and yield related traits of groundnut genotypes at Assosa and Kamashi zones, Western Ethiopia. Twenty five groundnut genotypes were evaluated in 5 x 5 triple lattice designs. Data were recorded for 16 traits and subjected to ANOVA using SAS software. Further genetic analyses were conducted as per the formula suggested by biometricians. Analyses of variance showed mean square due to genotypes were highly significant (p≤0.01) for all traits studied except seeds pod-1 at both locations. High heritability value coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for primary branches plant-1, 100-seed weight, dry pod yield and grain yield hectare-1 at Assosa and Kamashi. Therefore, the current study revealed the presence of considerable variability for most of the traits studied and differences in the performance of the genotypes as there were significant differences among genotypes. Emphasis should be given for dry pod yield hectare-1, primary branches plant-1, pods plant-1 and 100-seed weight to enhance grain yield production.