Assessing the adaptability and resilience of cowpea and maize varieties to various climatic zones of Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

The cultivation of cowpea and maize is common, but it is carried out without a prior selection of varieties that can effectively adapt to the specific climatic conditions of the zones. This study aimed at assessing cowpea and maize varieties in different ecological zones in order to identify the resilient varieties with respect to zone. The experiments were conducted in three different climatic and vegetation zones of Côte d’Ivoire: tropical rainforest zone, forest-savannah mosaic, and sub-Sudanian savannah in South, Centre-West, and North Côte d’Ivoire, respectively. In each zone, a randomized complete block design was used. Four varieties of both cowpea and maize were used. The analysis of variance was realized using grain yield data to compare varieties and climatic zones. The best varieties obtained differed according to the zones. Thus, in the tropical rain forest zone, the cowpea variety KVX780-6 and maize variety Violet de Katiola were the most yielding, with 593.30 kg ha−1 and 1270.84 kg ha−1, respectively. In forest-savannah mosaic, the cowpea variety KVX745-11P and maize variety SR21 obtained the highest yields, with 761.82 kg ha−1 and 2212.99 kg ha−1, respectively. The cowpea variety Tiligre and maize variety SR21 were the most productive in the sub-Sudanian savannah zone, with yields of 327.31 kg ha−1 and 1797.3 kg ha−1, respectively. Overall, the highest yield of cowpea (513.20 kg ha−1) and maize (1757.13 kg ha−1) were observed in forest-savannah mosaic. The best cowpea and maize varieties identified in each zone can be recommended to farmers.