The selection of superior cultivars through the combination of high yield and protein content cowpea seeds in semi-arid tropical regions have a huge positive impact on the production-market chains in places where there is short availability of protein sources for human consumption. The main aim of the present study is to estimate the adaptability and stability parameters of total seed yield and protein content in cowpea genotypes in order to release new cultivars by combining these value-added traits. Forty-four inbred lines and cultivars were assessed under seven different environmental conditions, either rain-fed or irrigated crop management, in seven sites the Brazilian semi-arid region. The seed protein content was quantified through the Kjeldahl method. Grain yield was adjusted in mean of plant per plot by the covariance method. Statistically significant differences in the genotype as well as in the genotype×environment interaction were observed in all the assays. The inbred lines presenting the highest protein contents showed the lowest grain yields, and it indicated the prominent "phenotypic cost" of protein in overall cowpea seed production. However, the breakage between the herein assessed association was observed in inbred lines subgroups such as 'C3Q', 'C3M', 'C2S', and 'CIJ'. These lines showed yield close to or above 1050 kg/ha and mean protein content of 27%, as well as good adaptability and stability in different environments, as it was simultaneously indicated through two methodologies. Therefore, these inbred lines may represent a potential elite germplasm in cowpea breeding programs and/or in the releasing of new cultivars adapted to the semi-arid region.
The biofortification of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] lines will have great impact in semiarid regions, since the crop provides a rich source of food, especially of iron and zinc. The aim of the current study was to assess the adaptability and stability of iron and zinc concentrations and grain yield in cowpea lines to release new cultivars. Forty‐four genotypes were distributed in two experiments, climbing and upright lines, with different population densities. They were assessed in four rainfed and three irrigated environments in two randomized block designs with three repetitions. Significant statistical differences were observed (p< 0.01) in the treatment, environment, and treatment × environment interaction mean squares for all variables. The lines that showed the highest iron and zinc concentrations also showed grain yields below the overall mean in both experiments. The three applied methods showed similar results in the selection of superior materials. C4I and T16_2R in the climbing experiment and C2J in the upright experiment showed grain yield equal to or greater than the overall experiment means of 1034 and 1130 kg ha−1, respectively, with iron and zinc means concentrations 15% greater than the control cultivars, as well as wide adaptability and stability in the assessed environment. These lines could be released as new cultivars.
Cowpea is a tolerant crop to water deficit, with moderate protein and mineral contents, as well as fast cooking, which are important requirements for semi-arid regions. This study aimed to evaluate the retention of total proteins and minerals after cooking in cowpea genotypes, in order to select those that best preserve these nutrients contents. Twenty-four genotypes were evaluated, being ten lines, five commercial cultivars and nine landraces maintained by farmers. Cooking had a reduced effect on the contents of protein, potassium, calcium, iron and zinc in cowpea grains, with significant effects only in a few genotypes. A significant and positive correlation was observed only for grain yield x zinc content and protein content x cooking time. The line CPCR3F6L17 presented a high grain yield and high levels of protein, potassium, iron and zinc after cooking, showing to be a promising option for the studied region.
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