PHENOTYPIC AND GENOTYPIC VARIABILITY OF COWPEA (VIGNA UNGUICULATA L. WALP) GENOTYPES IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA
Variability in Yield and Component Traits Among Different Cowpea Accessions
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) cultivation faces significant constraints leading to suboptimal grain and fodder yields. This research aimed to assess yield variation and its constituent traits across diverse cowpea accessions. A comprehensive study involving twenty cowpea genotypes was conducted at two distinct locations, Minna and Kontagora. The experimental design utilized a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Various parameters, including initial branching height, branch count at 3, 6, and 9 weeks, days to first flowering and pod formation, pod length, leaf area, and biomass weight, were meticulously recorded.
The results unveiled considerable diversity among the evaluated genotypes. Notably, genotype 11D-15-40 demonstrated superior grain yield (689.8 kg/ha) in the Kontagora location, whereas genotype 99K-57-3-2-1 exhibited higher grain yield (282.7 kg/ha) in Minna. The Kontagora environment exhibited more favorable overall performance compared to Minna. Interestingly, the cowpea genotypes displayed broader variability within the Kontagora environment, evident from the Boxplot analysis of seed yield. Specifically, genotypes 04K-267-8, 10K-816-1, 98K-1092-1, and 100K-817-3 displayed enhanced performance in Kontagora, while genotypes 12K-261, 12K-632, TVU-408, IT10K-827-7, and 99K-57-3-2-1 excelled in Minna, as indicated by the genotype-environment interaction analysis using the genotype plus genotype by environment (GGE) biplot.
In conclusion, this study highlights the superior suitability of Kontagora over Minna for cowpea production. The investigation underscores the significance of selecting appropriate genotypes based on specific environmental conditions to optimize cowpea yields.
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