Seed Management and Quality of Farmer Saved Seeds of Bambara groundnut from North Western, Northern and Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Bambara groundnut (BG) is a protein and energy-rich legume crop of African origin with the potential to contribute to food and nutrition security. There is limited information on seed management and quality of farmer saved seed of BG in Uganda. This study was conducted to investigate seed management practices and evaluate the quality of farmer saved seed from Uganda. Four hundred BG farmers were chosen using purposive sampling and information gathered on their seed management. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview the farmers. Seed colour and size determination, standard germination and electrical conductivity tests were done on seed samples collected from farmers. Results from survey revealed that farmers recycled seeds for more than 4 years (39.2%) and maintained mostly single landraces (52.5%). Seed was sun-dried on the ground (81%), stored in gunny bags (93.5%), and threshed mostly by hand (52.0%). Collected landraces had varied seed coat colours and significantly differed at p = 0.05 in their seed sizes, final germination percentage (FGP), electrical conductivity (EC), germination velocity index and seedling vigour index II (SVI-II). Local Bam landrace recorded highest SVI-II (485.3) and EC (0.52MSg-1) while TVSU 688 landrace recorded the highest FGP (96.0%) and lowest EC (0.06MSg-1).