Intraspecific variabilities in 40 accessions of African yam bean (AYB) were assessed through characterization of 48 agromorphological traits for two cropping seasons between June and December 2011 and 2012. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis (Semipartial R squared method). The accessions showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05, P ≤ 0.01, P ≤ 0.0001) in 16 reproductive traits. Accessions TSs 66 (144.50 days), TSs 51 (144.67 days) and TSs 154 (144.67 days) were identified as early maturing accessions. The first five principal component axes explained 69.7% of the total variation with PC1 and PC2 contributing 38.9% to the total variation. Correlation coefficients were high and significant for yield traits. A highly significant correlation (r = 0.99 *** ) was observed between seed yield (kg ha -1 ) and weight of total pods per plant. Tubers were produced from 42.5% of the accessions. The accessions of AYB were meaningfully grouped into five clusters at the R-squared distance of 0.04 similarity index. Phenotypically, AYB 57 and TSs 123 were the most similar accessions with the closest distance of 0.0071. Four seed shapes were identified; oval (82.5%), globular/round (5%), oblong (10%), and rhomboid (2.5%). In order to improve the yield of AYB, the number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plant, weight of total seeds per pod, and weight of total seed per plant are important determinant factors. The genetic variabilities observed in the traits studied could be utilised for improvement of AYB.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to characterize 25 collections of pigeon pea from south‐west Nigeria using nutritional and anti‐nutritional contents of the seeds.Design/methodology/approachThe nutritional and anti‐nutritional constituents of 25 collections of pigeon pea were determined. Data collected were subjected to correlation, principal components and fastclus analyses.FindingsAriation among the collections for the nutrient contents was low. Trypsin inhibitor content had the highest variability ranging between 21.74 and 35.43 Tiu/mg. Protein and trypsin inhibitor contents were significant and negatively correlated. The first three principal components explained 74.0 per cent of the total variation. Fastclus procedures grouped the collections into three. Members of cluster 1 had the highest value for protein and the lowest concentrations of the anti‐nutritional factors (ANFs). Cluster 2 possessed relatively low protein with high level of ANFs while cluster 3 was intermediate between clusters 1 and 2 for most characters.Originality/valueThe results indicate that members of cluster 1 with high protein and low levels of ANFs are good candidates in breeding/selecting pigeon pea cultivars with enhanced nutritional values.