Effect of Accessions on the Performance of Root Components of African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa L.) in Northern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria

The effect of seven African yam bean accessions ( TSs 2, TSs 4, TSs 11, TSs 23, TSs 84, TSs 96 and TSs 111) on root components of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa L.) were studied in 2021 rainy season at Mubi and Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Both locations were located in Northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria. The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Seeds were soaked in water for 24 hours and sown on beds measuring 3.0 m x 3.0 m at 60 cm x 60 cm in mid July, 2021. Data on plant height, plant dry weight, days to first flowering, number of tubers per plant, tuber length, tuber diameter, individual tuber weight, tuber weight per plant and tuber yield per hectare were measured at harvest using appropriate tools and methods. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using statistix “10.0” and the difference between treatments means were tested using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DRMT) at 5% level of significance. It was observed that the accessions, TSs 2 and TSs 96 recorded taller plants. TSs 2, TSs 96 and TSs 111 recorded the highest plant dry weight at harvest. The African yam bean accessions, TSs 4, TSs 11 and TSs 96 recorded the mean minimum number of days (earliest) to first flowering. TSs 11 had the highest number of tubers per plant in both locations and their mean, while TSs 2, TSs 23 and TSs 96 had the highest mean tuber length. All African yam bean accessions recorded similar higher tuber diameter, except TSs 11 which had the lower mean performance. TSs 111 recorded the highest mean individual tuber weight, and for tuber weight per plant and per hectare, TSs 11 out-weighed all other African yam bean accessions. It could be concluded from this study that the Northern Guinea savanna agro-ecology supports the performance of African yam bean, and the accession TSs 11 stands recommended for higher tuber yield herein.