Growth and Forage Production of Four Arachis Pintoi (Kaprovickas & Gregory) Genotypes in Two Contrasting Ecological Regions of Benin (West Africa)

The agronomic performance of plants is influenced by their genetic potential and the interactions of complex ecophysical factors, as well as by management practices. A 3 - year field experiment was set up in order to examine the adaptability of four Arachis pintoi varieties ( CIAT 17434, CIAT 18744 , CIAT 22160 and AFT 495) in two different ecological sites (humid and subhumid zones) of Benin in West Africa. A. pintoi varieties were planted at three sowing densities ( 9, 18 and 36 plants/m 2 ). The objective of the trial was to identify t he most interesting variety and sowing density which could be used in agricultural system in those regions . Twelve treatments (2 sites × 4 varieties × 3 densities) with four replicates per treatment arranged in a split - block desi gn with randomised complete block where varieties were main plot and sowing densities were subplots. Data Stolon number (SN) , stolon density (SD), dry matter production (DM ) , soil coverage (SC) and plant dry season survival (SS) were monitored for 3 years after establishment and were analysed with the General Linear Model procedure of SAS. Data indicated that plant (SN) and (SD) varied from 8 to 512 units/m 2 and from 3 to 110 m/m 2 , respectively. The proportion of the plants that remained green after the 3 - year trial varied from 10 to 80%. (DM ) varied from 9 to 3153 kg/ha. For (SN), (SD), (DM ), (SC) and ( SS), t here was a significant d i fference between sites, varieties , densities an d years with a significant site×variety interaction (P < 0.0 1 ). In general, under humid conditions, varieties ranged in the following order: CIAT 17434 = CIAT 18744 > CIAT 22160 > ATF 495. Under subhumid conditions the ranking was: CIAT 22160 > CIAT 18744 > CIAT 17434 > ATF 495. Sowing density of 36 plants/m 2 gave higher (SC) and (DM) . Sowing density had no influence on plant dry season survival