Abstract:
Groundnut which is a major staple food crop in Uganda is constrained by late leaf spot (LLS) and
groundnut rosette disease (GRD), accounting for major economic yield loss. This study was
conducted to identify sources of resistance to LLS and GRD and yield potential of selected
groundnut genotypes that could be used in breeding programs. Thirty-eight groundnut genotypes
were evaluated at the National Semi Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI)-Serere, Eastern Uganda during the first and second seasons of 2015. The experiment was arranged in randomized
complete block design with four replications. The results showed highly significant (P < 0.01)
genotype-by-season interaction for most of the traits studied. There were significant differences
among the genotypes for 100 seed weight (P < 0.01), and dry pod yield and unshelled sample of
100 pods at P < 0.05. Late leaf spot severity (at harvest), GRD incidence (at 12 weeks) and severity
(at harvest) were significantly (P < .01) different and positively correlated with Area Under Disease
Progress Curve (AUDPC). GRD severity at harvest showed highly significant (P < 0.001) negative
correlation with shelling percentage. Both 100 seed weight and unshelled sample of 100 pod
showed highly significant (P < 0.01) negative correlations with LLS at harvest, LLS AUDPC, GRD at
12 weeks, GRD AUDPC, and GRD severity. Genotypes susceptible to both LLS and GRD recorded
the lowest 100 seed weight. Nine genotypes (Serenut.2, SGV 0001, SGV 0005, SGV 0006, SGV
0019, SGV 0071, SGV 0082, SGV 0083, and SGV 89751T) showed resistance to both diseases
with high yield potential. These genotypes could be used to introgress resistance to both diseases
in acceptable cultivars which are susceptible
