Evaluation of Different Planting Dates on the Yield and Physio-Morphic Traits of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterranea L. Verdc) Under Semi-Arid Climate of Pakistan.

Abstract

The agriculture sector must introduce new crops with high nutrition and adaptability to climate change in order to meet food insecurity under the threat of increasing population. Therefore, we examined the adaptability and yield of the Bambara groundnut under varying climatic conditions to optimize site-specific production technology. This study was conducted over the course of two years (2018, 2019) using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) where the treatments were replicated three times. The Bambara groundnut was sowed in three sowing dates (1^st March, 1^st April, and 1^st May) at two locations (NARC, Koont) and yield and other traits were measured on this variety. The results showed that the date of planting (1^st April) had a significant impact on the studied traits at each of the locations. Similarly, the crop’s morphological and yield attributes exhibited a large amount of diversity. During 2018 and 2019, the NARC recorded biological yields of 10021–10013 (kg ha^-1) and seed yield of 2041–1973 (kg ha^-1) in 1^st April compared to other sowing dates. Similarly, at Koont, pooled data from both years showed promising results of biological yield of 10056–10009 (kg ha^-1) and seed yield of 1974–1979 (kg ha^-1), respectively. The PCA analysis showed evidence of the excellency of 1^st April over other sowing dates. It would appear that a significant adaptation of Bambara Groundnut was successfully accomplished in 1^st April during both environments.