SCREENING GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogaea L.) GERMPLASM FOR DROUGHT TOLERANT AND BACTERIAL WILT (Ralstonia solanacearum Smith) RESISTANCE IN CENTRAL VIETNAM PROVINCES

Abstract

The Central region is the most important groundnut growing area in Vietnam. However, drought conditions and the prevalence of the bacterial pathogen responsible for bacterial wilt disease have substantially reduced groundnut productivity and yield. Developing varieties that are tolerant to these adverse conditions is an essential strategy to safeguard groundnut production in this region. Among 150 groundnut germplasm accessions evaluated, 37 accessions were identified as both drought tolerance and bacterial wilt resistance, including L28, Tram Dau 207, L27, L29, L33, L34 and L35… These accessions represent valuable initial materials for breeding groundnut varieties with enhanced tolerance to drought and resistance to bacterial wilt.