Abstract:
Rosette disease is one of the most destructive viral disease of groundnut in Nigeria and other
parts of the World causing decline in yield and huge economic losses wherever the epidemic
occurs. Field experiment was conducted in 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons to screen thirteen
groundnut genotypes for their resistance to rosette virus disease under natural conditions at the
Teaching and Research farm of the College of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Makurdi,
Benue State of Nigeria. The treatments were laid in Randomized Complete Block Design
(RCBD) and replicated 4 times. Each treatment was assigned to a plot measuring 3m x 2m.
Borno Red and Shar-nya recorded significantly higher rosette incidence of 25 to 53.94% and 21
to 50.95%, respectively at 30 to 60DAS over the cropping season in 2011 and 2012; Samnut-10,
Samnut-21 and samnut-22 recorded significantly the least disease incidence. Borno Red had the
highest rosette virus severity of 17 to 66.55% at 30 to 60DAS over the study period; Samnut-21,
Samnut-10 and Samnut-22 had the least severity of rosette. Based on genotypic responses at
60DAS, Borno Red, Ijiwanda and shar-nya were found to be susceptible; Tisha-1, Ex-Dakar,
Campalla, Borno Brown, Benue AGR and Aloshi were moderately resistant; Samnut-10 Samnut21 and Samnut-22 were resistant to the rosette disease over the study period; the resistance of
Danbomboyo was variable. Significantly higher 100 seed weight was recorded on Samnut-22
and Campalla while Borno Red recorded the lowest in 2011. Samnut-21, Samnut-10 and
Samnut-21 had significantly higher 100 seed weight while Aloshi recorded the lowest in 2012.
Greater number of deformed groundnut pods was recorded on Borno Red while Samnut-10
recorded the lowest in2011. Similarly, greater number of deformed groundnut pods was recorded
on Shar-nya and Compalla while Samnut-10 and Samnut-21 had the lowest in 2012. In
conclusion, some genetic disease resistant and higher seed yielding traits has been identified
among the groundnut genotypes evaluated which can be employed for effective management of
rosette virus disease and for groundnut improvement program in Southern Guinea Savanna |
