Farmers’ Knowledge on Rosette Virus Disease and Agronomic Performance of Resistant Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Genotypes.

Abstract

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an essential oilseed crop in sub-Saharan Africa, but its production is heavily constrained by groundnut rosette disease (GRD). The study aimed at assessing farmers knowledge of groundnut rosette viral disease and its management and evaluate the agronomic performance of resistant groundnut genotypes. The study was carried out at the College of Agriculture, Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Ashanti Mampong campus, between April to August and September to December 2023. A mixed-methods design was employed, using semi-structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. A total sample of 120 farmers selected through multistage sampling across three groundnut-growing communities namely, Kofiase, Asaame and Bobin. Questionnaires were pre-tested and refined before full administration. The field experiment used a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications and ten groundnut genotypes. The parameters for data collection included days to 50 % emergence, days to 50 % flowering, percent plant establishment, days to maturity, number of leaves, number of branches, canopy width, stem diameter, number of pods, number of seeds per pod, pod weight, harvest index and groundnut rosette disease incidence. Farming experience differed, with Bobin farmers mostly having 1–5 years, Asaam 6–10 years, and Kofiase hosting all farmers with over 15 years’ experience. Seed sourcing was largely from donors. OUG ED BEAUTY had the shortest days to 50% flowering (29 days) in the major cropping season, while OUG ICGVSM 085886 and OUG ED BEAUTY significantly recorded shorter days to 50% flowering (37 days) during the minor cropping season. Average plant height for the major cropping season was observed to have increased from week four after planting to week ten after planting with OUG ICGVSM 085886 recording the highest (40.2 cm) plant height in week ten. In the minor cropping season, average plant height increased from week four after planting with OUG ICGVSM 085886 recording the highest (36.0) while the least plant height was recorded in NKATAE SAIRE. Mean canopy width was higher (58.8) in OUG ICGVSM 99551, whiles the lowest (51) canopy width was recorded in NKATAE SAIRE in the major cropping season. Mean number of branches was higher (54) in OUG ICGVSM 99551 while the least (47) number of branches was observed in NKATAE SAIRE in the major cropping season. OUG ICGVSM 085886 had the highest seed yield (2.68 t/ha) while the least seed yield was produced by OUG ICGVSM 99551(1.36 t/ha) and Nketae Saire (1.36 t/ha) in the major cropping season. In the minor cropping season, OUG ICGVSM 085886 and Nkatae Saire recorded the highest seed yield (2.43 and 2.32 t/ha), respectively. In the major season, OUG ICGVSM99551 recorded the highest harvest index (0.55), while Nkatae Saire had the least harvest index of 0.25.