DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2016.v04i11.005

Pages: 993-1001

Bambara Groundnut (BGN) (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) Could be of great importance in the semi-arid Sahel, for its nutritional quality and its ability to fertilize the soil. Unfortunately, yields were very low due to the erratic rainfall pattern in the Sahelian regions. That is why a study is conducted to determine the effect of early drought on the growth of BGN seedling was studied in semi-controlled-environment in semi-opened greenhouses in Niger. There were twelve morphotypes coming from a collection in 2013 from producers in the Western and Central areas of Niger country and five watering regimes, expressed in % of field capacity, ranging from fully irrigated to strictly dry pot, were experimented : W1=100%, W2=75%, W3=50%, W4=37.5%; W5=25%, and W6 with no irrigation after sowing. Drought caused significant reductions in all growth parameters. The morphotypes differed significantly in their response to drought; Morphotype NE-04 exhibited the best drought tolerance with respectively 6.8% and 16.7% decrease in fresh weight and number of leaves, and the best Drought Susceptibility Index of 0.94. We suggest that this promising line to be considered by breeders, with an improvement in its performance especially its low germination percentage.