Kernel Yield Evaluation of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Genotypes in North Western Part of Ethiopia

— North western part of Ethiopia is one of the major groundnuts producing areas in Ethiopia. However, only variety Manipeter is commonly cultivated in the region even though there are 21 nationally released groundnut varieties in Ethiopia. To grow other groundnut varieties in the area multi-environment trials should be conducted to determine their adaptability and productivity. Therefore, fifteen groundnut genotypes were evaluated under multi-environment yield trials in 2017 cropping season at six locations with the objectives of identifying stable high yielding genotypes. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The analysis of variance on kernel yield at each location showed that there was significant difference among genotypes. Genotype Babile-1 at Pawe (2.35t/ha) and Dangur (2.03 t/ha), Roba at Manduara (2.3t/ha) and Dibate (1.92 t/ha), Bulgi at Guba (2.74 t/ha) and Manipeter at Bullen (2.02 t/ha) produced the highest kernel yield. Bartlett's test revealed that the variances were homogenous. Pooled analysis of variance also revealed highly significant difference among genotypes (G), environments (E) and genotype by environment interaction (GEI) for kernel yield. Stability analysis results using AMMI and GGE-biplot analysis revealed that Babile-1 variety is stable high yielding genotype across locations and it had great potential to be recommend and grown on large scale production.