The evaluation of a southern African cowpea germplasm collection for seed yield and yield components

Abstract

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is a valuable crop for subsistence farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Characterization and evaluation of cowpea germplasm collections based on seed yield for genotype × environment (GE) interactions can assist in improving the adaptability and stability across environments. The objectives of this study were to determine genetic variability in the germplasm collection, to determine the magnitude of GE interactions, to identify superior genotypes across environments, and to determine the phenotypic correlations among the seed yield and related traits. Seventy-five cowpea genotypes were planted in three different locations during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 cropping seasons, and data were collected for seed yield and its components. Highly significant (P < .001) genotype effect for seed yield traits suggested great genetic differences among the tested populations. Significant (P < .05) genotype × location interaction (GL), genotype × season interaction (GS), and genotype × location × season interaction (GLS) effects were observed for seed yield traits, indicating the presence of complex GE interactions. The GLS effect was more than the GL and GS effects for seed yield, 100-seed weight, number of pods, and pod width, highlighting the difficulty in genetic improvement of these traits. Cowpea genotypes 6 (ARC006), 49 (ARC049), 63 (IT90K-76), and 57 (PAN311) showed high yield, wide adaptation, and stability. Genotype 58 (NGOII) and 1 (ARC001) showed high yield, instability, and specific adaptation. No clear mega-environments were identified. Significant (P < .05) correlations were observed among most of the traits evaluated. The results obtained can serve as a guide and basis of germplasm management and improvement of cowpea seed yield.

Appropriate Use of Local Phosphate Rock Increases Phosphorus Use Efficiency and Grain Yield of Sorghum and Cowpea in the Sudan Savanna

“…Thus, water stress might not be the factor that decreased the harvest index and PTE in cowpea. Among the yield components, the number of pods (m 2 ) had the highest contribution to the grain yield of cowpea (r = 0.97 and 0.94 in 2018 and 2019, respectively) as reported in previous studies (48)(49)(50). Despite the similar biomass in 2018 and 2019 (Figure 2), the pod number was significantly smaller in 2019 than in 2018 (Table 3; Supplementary Figure S2).…”

Phenotypic description of elite cowpea (Vigna ungiculata L. Walp) genotypes grown in drought-prone environments using agronomic traits

“…HSW of 38 g was recorded in cowpea genotype Drum elsewhere (Odeseye et al, 2018), which is comparable to the value of 39.33 g recorded for G19 in the current study. High mean HSW of 69.81 g was reported in cowpea genotype ARC018 (Mbuma et al, 2021). The higher values of hundred-seed weight in this genotype could be due to favorable environmental conditions in the test locations (i.e., Roodeplaat, Rustenburg and Potchefstroom).…”

Mathematical Model of Physiological and Biochemical Indexes to Plant Growth–Defense Tradeoff in Salvia Miltiorrhiza

“…Then GS, GOGAT have appositive effect on biomass synthesis, while GDH has a two way effect. NR, NIR and GLS can improve the synthesis of amino acids through the inter action effect [11,12,13]. So NR, NIR and GLS play appositive role in biomass synthesis.…”

“…GS and GOGAT can promote the synthesis of amino acids. GDH inhibit the synthesis of amino acids, but the synergistic effect of GDH and GS can also promote the synthesis of amino acids [9,10,11]. Then GS, GOGAT have appositive effect on biomass synthesis, while GDH has a two way effect.…”