Evaluation of oleic acid rich groundnut lines for adaptation and resistance to foliar diseases in Malawi

Groundnut is an important oilseed crop for both food and nutrition security. The development of nutrient dense varieties including oleic acid to meet dietary needs in Africa is important. The study was undertaken to evaluate oleic acid rich lines for agronomic adaptation and reaction to foliar diseases. The experimental design was an alpha lattice in a randomized complete block design replicated thrice. Analysis of variance was done using Gnestat software. There were significant differences in yield traits and resistance to foliar diseases among the accessions. The most superior genotypes in relation to grain yield were, ICGV 16017, ICGV 171003, ICGV 171014, ICGV 171025 and ICGV 171050. Most of the genotypes were moderately resistant to early leafspot and resistant to late leaf spot. Genotypes, ICGV 15080, ICGV 15003, ICGV 16019 and ICGV 16669 had a score of <4 in relation to early leafspot. Genotypes ICGV 171025, ICGV 171003, ICGV 171024 and ICGV 171012 were highly resistant to rosette disease (GRD) while ICGV 15080 and ICGV 16669 were moderately resistant. The genetic variation observed for key traits among the groundnut genotypes can be exploited to select parental lines for improving oleic acid, yield, resistance and/or tolerance to diseases. The superior geneotypes identified can be advanced further towards release of oleic acid rich varieties in the region.