Agronomic and biochemical evaluation of fifteen exotic groundnut parameters (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties grown in Northern Cameroon

Groundnuts ( Arachis hypogaea L.) is a major oilseed and legume in semi-arid regions, yet limited information exists on the agronomic and biochemical performance of recently introduced varieties under the environmental conditions of Northern Cameroon. This study evaluated fifteen exotic groundnut genotypes across three agro-ecological sites (Gazawa, Bocklé and Dang) to assess variability in yield components, oil and protein content, total polyphenols and antioxidant activity. Significant differences were observed among varieties for all traits studied. Pod weight was strongly correlated with overall yield (0.97), indicating that seed mass is a key determinant of productivity. Lipid and protein contents showed a strong negative correlation (r = 0.90), suggesting trade-offs in metabolic partitioning between oil and protein biosynthesis. Total polyphenol content was positively associated with antioxidant activity (r = 0.91), highlighting the nutraceutical potential of some varieties. Based on multivariate clustering, genotypes were grouped into high protein, high polyphenol and high lipid types, indicating opportunities for targeted selection depending on end use. These findings provide a valuable baseline for varietal improvement programs aimed at enhancing yield, nutritional quality and environmental adaptation of groundnut in the semi-arid zone.