Identification and inheritance of resistance to Fusarium infection of Bambara groundnut plants (Vigna Subterrenea (L) Verdc) in Nigeria

University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Nigeria

Right to left: Dr C. N. Onaebi; Mr Wisdom Akubue; Prof N. E. Abu; Prof C. C. Onyeke; Prof F. I. Akaneme; Mrs J. Chinekwu; Mr C. Maduakor (Research Associate) and Ms E. Agbo.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Background

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) is a nutritionally rich grain legume crop native to Africa. It is tolerant to drought stress and can be cultivated under low input and marginal agricultural production systems in Africa and in Asia.

In Nigeria, the species is called Okpa in Igbo, Epa-Roro in Yoruba and Gurjiya or Kwaruru in Hausa. The grain is regarded as a source of complete and balanced diet. The total energy gains from Bambara groundnut grain consumption are the highest compared with other legumes (1). Among students, Bambara is popularly called ‘six-to-six’ (that is 6am to 6pm food) because when eaten as a breakfast, it fills the stomach and reduces hunger for a long time (2).

Fungal diseases have been reported as a major constraint on Bambara groundnut production in Nigeria.

Prof Florence Akaneme and Dr Chiemeka Nwakaego Onaebi carrying out Bambara crossing trail.

The project aims at evaluating the inheritance pattern of Fusarium resistance in Bambara groundnuts - a consolidation of the progress made in our pilot study where ten fungi pathogens were isolated from diseased Bambara groundnut plants and seven were confirmed through a pathogenicity test.

Objectives 

collection of germplasm,
evaluation for reaction to Fusarium,
acquisition of competence in crossing Bambara groundnut and
characterization of the mode of inheritance of resistance to the Fusarium pathogen

(1) Majola, N. G., Gerrano, A. S. and Shimelis, H (2021). Bambara groundnut (Vigna  subterranea L Verdc). Production, Utilisation and Genetic improvement in Sub-Saharan Africa. Agronomy, 11: 1345. 

(2) Jidda, M. B (2022). Preliminary Assessment of Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc] landraces for incidence of pre-emergence damping-off disease and yield under irrigated and rain-fed conditions. Inter. J. Sustainabe Agric. Res, 9: 68-75.

Bambara groundnut Pilot Project farm at the University of Nigeria, 2023 growing season (i), Harvesting Bambara groundnut from farm at the University of Nigeria (ii), Plant Pathology Team about to commence Seedlings inoculations with fungi isolates (iii), Dr. Onaebi (Co-PI) inoculating seedlings with Phytophthora species (iv).