Agronomic characterization of soybean and bambara groundnut genotypes grown on different soils of Lake Victoria Basin

Projected global rise in population poses challenge to access to food and economic growth. Nonetheless, farmers have continually depended upon minor range of crops for food and industrial use. In the Lake Victoria basin, inadequate attention, neglect and/or under-utilization of food crops such as soybeans and bambara groundnuts have contributed for the increased food insufficiency. Production of legume crops in the region has reduced in yield and value because most farmers adopt common beans at the expense of other important legumes. Crop diversification to incorporate these important legumes into the cropping systems of Lake Victoria basin is key not only in meeting high demand for protein rich diets but also raises soil fertility. This study was carried out to evaluate two soybean varieties and two bambara groundnut landraces for agronomic characters when cultivated on different soils of Lake Victoria basin. Seeds of two bambara groundnut landraces; Kakamega Cream (KAKC) and Busia Brown (BUSB) were collected from farmers in Kakamega and Busia counties respectively. Soil sampling was done at selected farmers’ fields with no history of inoculation in Kisumu, Port Victoria, Kendu bay and Karungu within Lake Victoria basin. Screenhouse experiment was performed in plastic pots with four seeds of each cultivar which was later thinned to two plants. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used. Experiments data were organized into a matrix and subjected to two- and three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Genstat 16th Edition and significant means separated using Least Significant Difference at [LSD5%] and Dancun Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Significant (p