Genetic Assessment of Three Colour Variants of African Yam Bean[Sphenostylis Stenocarpa] Commonly Grown in the Midwestern Region of Nigeria

Three varieties of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) were collected from six different locations in Edo State, Nigeria (Ekpoma, Benin City, Auchi, Igueben, Igbanke and Sabongida Ora). These seeds were then characterized based on seed colour into black, brown, and light grey. The seeds were screened in the field for agronomic and yield associated characters as well as chemical composition of the seeds. Considerable variations were observed in both agronomic and yield associated characters like shoot height, leaf area, grain yield and total ash content of the seeds. The black colour variant was significantly (p<0.05) highest in grain yield per hectare (1542.28kg/ha) compared to both brown variant (1304.23kg/ha) and the light grey type (1259.97kg/ha).