Icrisat’s groundnut breeding programme boosts yields by 1.6% annually

Groundnut varieties developed by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) over the last two decades have an annual yield gains of about 27 kg per hectare in medium-duration varieties and 25 kg/ha in late-maturing varieties, reflecting how the groundnut breeding programme helped in improving productivity.

The 1.6 per cent annual increase, which is about 25 kg/year/ha, is the genetic gain in the research programme. A genetic gain of 1.5 per cent per annum is generally considered healthy. If less, then a new strategy must be devised.

The study focused on two major market types of Icrisat-bred groundnut, Spanish Bunch and Virginia Bunch and evaluated them for three key yield-related traits — pod yield, shelling percentage and seed weight.

Conducted over a two-year period covering 3-4 growing seasons, testing Icrisat-bred groundnut varieties since 1988, the research highlights the steady genetic progress achieved through Icrisat’s breeding efforts.

Need to integrate advanced tools

The study measured Realised Genetic Gain (RGG) in its groundnut breeding programme.

“The significant gains achieved in the past 2 decades demonstrate how genetic advancements are translating into higher on-farm yields, strengthening national and global food and nutrition security. This study provides valuable insights that help us reorient our Groundnut breeding strategies to deliver future-ready varieties,” Himanshu Pathak, Director General of IcrisatT, said.

Since 1976, Icrisat’s groundnut breeding programme has released over 240 improved varieties across 39 countries, benefiting millions of farming families across Asia and Africa. 

Janila Pasupuleti, Principal Scientist – Groundnut Breeding at Icrisat, noted that while the results show a positive trend over the past two decades, there is a continued need to integrate advanced tools such as computed tomography and genomic selection in breeding.

Published on October 9, 2025