Modeling of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Yield and Control Insecticide Exposure in a Semi-Arid Region

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the adaptability of different genotypes of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) in the edaphoclimatic conditions of a semi-arid region. In the experimental design, a completely randomized split-plot (2 × 8), with 3 repetitions (blocks) was used. The experiment comprised 7 new genotypes and 1 local genotype as the first main factor and application of insecticide as a secondary factor. Two-factor analysis of variance (two-way ANOVA) determined the differences between the treated and untreated plots. The results obtained in the experiment showed that the introduced genotypes V3 (IT07K-181-55), V7 (H4), and V5 (IT97K-556-4M) adapted well to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the study area and their yields were respectively 1019, 1015, and 841 kg/ha of grains in treated plots and 278, 517 and 383 kg/ha in untreated plots. Multivariate analysis revealed that the most important parameter was the germination rate. Finally, the best yield was obtained with the genotype V3 (IT07K-181-55), subjected to the use of insecticide, and with the V7 (H4) genotype in untreated plants. The findings presented in this research should be useful in crop system agricultural programs, particularly in the terms of selection of cultivating systems suitable for high-yielding cowpea.

Revisiting the Domestication Process of African Vigna Species (Fabaceae): Background, Perspectives and Challenges

“…In fact, this crop shows relatively high adaptation to drought, especially in comparison to other legumes [57] and can fix up to 200 kg N ha −1 [58] with a positive soil N balance of up to 92 kg ha −1 [59]. Nevertheless, several abiotic and biotic constraints (i.e., low soil fertility, pests, diseases, parasitic weeds, and nematodes) limit the yield [43,60,61]. Moreover, low productivity is often associated with the use of traditional and unimproved varieties, still widely cultivated in Africa [62].…”

“…Thanks to this residual genetic diversity and also to studies performed on Vigna species, most of the accessions are well adapted to a wide range of extreme environmental conditions, such as sandy beaches, arid lands and wetlands, harbouring tolerance and resistance genes towards biotic and abiotic stresses. These genetic traits are used for developing new stress-tolerant crops [37][38][39][40][41][42][43]. By contrast, less is known about the effects of domestication on the nutritional value of seeds [7] even if recent studies have reported that cultivated legumes show a lower carotenoid and protein content in seeds compared with the wild relatives [44,45].…”

Evaluation of seventeen cowpea genotypes across years for grain yield, yield components and yield stability in Nsukka, South-east Nigeria

“…Vast literature documented on its importance and production, indicate that grain yield estimates are still far below estimates to meet growing population demands (Horn et al, 2017). Several findings have implicated the unavailability of seeds of improved cultivars, unfavourable climatic conditions, diseases, insect pests and parasitic weeds, as major causes of the low production and productivity observed in grain cowpea (Boukar et al, 2018;Carvalho and Halecki, 2021). Horn et al (2017) reported grain yield ranging from 0.10 to 0.60 tha -1 which were far below potentially attainable yields of 1.5 to 3.0 tha -1 .…”

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) Landraces from Portugal and Mozambique

“…Its high protein content (25%, dry weight basis) is key in alleviating malnutrition and poverty, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In particular, in Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) such as Angola, cowpea is an important staple crop [ 3 ], and in Mozambique, it is, at present, the most cultivated legume [ 4 , 5 ].…”