Genetic Analysis Of Aflatoxin And Agronomic Traits In Groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L

📄 Project Abstract

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the major crops susceptible to Aspergillus flavus infection and subsequent aflatoxin contamination which adversely affects its production and utilization in the small holder setting. Although there are several management strategies that may reduce aflatoxin contamination of groundnuts, the pre-eminent strategy for the prevention of aflatoxin is to develop host resistance to A. flavus. The objectives of this study were to determine the level of resistance to A. flavus and aflatoxin accumulation among selected groundnut genotypes, to assess the mode of gene action controlling resistance to aflatoxin accumulation and agronomic traits and to estimate heritability for resistance to A. flavus and aflatoxin accumulation. Eight groundnut varieties comprising of three A. flavus resistant lines and five susceptible varieties were obtained from Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru. The genotypes were crossed in a 3 x 5 North Carolina (NC II) design...