ISSN 2375-1231
African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 6 (6), pp. 001-003, June, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
Floral biology of Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc]
N. C. Onwubiko1*, M. I. Uguru2, A. A. Ngwuta1, E. T. Inyang1 and O. J. Nnajiemere1
1Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
2Department of Crop Science University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Accepted 07 March, 2018
Abstract
Investigation on floral biology of twelve accessions of Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc] was carried out in the greenhouse of the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria, in a completely randomized design with three replications. Significant varietal differences (P<0.05) were observed among the accessions in all characters investigated except for age of germination (P>0.05). Typical of flowering plants, the crop consists of vegetative and reproductive organs. The initiation of flower buds was between 30 and 48 days after planting (DAP) while the maturity of the flowers was between 34 and 52 DAP (3 to 5 days from flower bud initiation). Matured flowers for hybridization should be 2 to 3 days old from bud initiation and observed to be yellow or creamy in colour. The time taken for matured flower bud to open (anthesis) ranged between 12 to 20 h (which occurred between 07:00 and 10:00 h). Emasculation should be carried out on mature flower buds within 12 h of flower bud maturity as pollination takes place after this period.
Key words: Floral biology, bambara groundnut, Vigna subterranea.