Study of variability, correlation and heritability of physiological and yield related traits in Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.] in Burkina Faso

Bambara Groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdcourt] is one of the most consumed leguminous crops in Burkina Faso. Through its food and nutritional qualities, it is undeniably to be taken into account for the attack on the food and nutritional security of populations. This work aims to contribute to a better knowledge of correlations between parameters, their mode of heritability and genetic progress. Sixteen quantitative traits were used to evaluate ninety Bambara Groundnut genotypes from three agro-climatic zones. These genotypes were sown during 2018 campaign in Rollo (north-central region of Burkina Faso) following a Fisher block design with four repetitions. The analysis of variance showed that means of parameters were highly significant (P < 0.01) except for plant height implying existence of an important variation between genotypes for these parameters. Phenotypic coefficients of variation varied from 5.96% to 121% and genotypic ones from 3.26% to 175%. Generally, phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) generated more than genotypic coefficients (GCV). However, the small differences between the values of these data mean showed the weak influence of environment on gene expression. Heritability recorded values ≥ 20% and genetic advance varied from 57.96 to 2538.85. The parameters having recorded strong heritability’s (20.35% to 97.95%) could be used in breeding and improvement programs of Bambara Groundnut by taking into account existing relations between these parameters. Programs to improve yield of Bambara Groundnut can only be envisaged after a good knowledge of the different relationships existing between yield parameters and their heritability.