Reproductive phenology stages and their contributions to seed production of two Arachis pintoi ecotypes (CIAT 17434 and CIAT 18744) in Sudanian savanna region of Benin, West Africa

Flowering pattern, reproductive stage period (flowering, peg production, pod production and seed maturation) and efficiency of each stage for mature fruit production of two Arachis pintoi ecotypes (CIAT 17434 and CIAT 18744) were investigated in West Africa. Plants were sown in a randomized complete block design with four replicates per ecotype. Data collected over 3 years were analyzed with ANOVA. First flowers appeared on average 26 and 45 d after sowing for CIAT 17434 and CIAT 18744, respectively. Pegs began to extend about 8 and 18 d after anthesis; pod initiation about 22 and 40 d after anthesis and seed fully matured about 85 and 120 d after anthesis, respectively. CIAT 17434 produced (2269 flowers/plant) significantly (p≤0.05) more flower than CIAT 18744 (761 flowers/plant) during 7 months flowering. Conversely, flower efficiency for peg production was significantly (p≤0.05) higher for CIAT 18744 (8.14%) than for CIAT 17434 (4.02%). From 85 to 97% of pegs produced pods for both ecotypes. This research showed clearly that the principal constraint for effective seed production in particular ecological conditions of West Africa was the quite low efficiency of flowers for pegs production.