Flowering, Pollination and Pod Formation in Bambara Groundnut (<i>Voandzeia Subterranea</i>) in Ghana

Abstract

Summary Although bambara groundnut ( Voandzeia subterranea ) is an important pulse crop in Africa and particularly in Ghana, information on the crop is not only very limited but conflicting, especially as regards flowering and mode of pollination. Both self- and cross-pollination can take place in varying degrees, depending on variety or strain, and this is brought about by two species of ants, Pheidole megacephala and Monomorium pharaonis , without which pollination might be severely limited or prevented altogether. The extent of cross pollination may be greater in varieties or strains with a more open habit, i.e.. varieties resembling the wild uncultivated ancestors, whereas the bunch cultivated types are more likely to be self-pollinated. It is suggested that varieties or strains may show differences in their ability to cross with one another.