Abstract
Fusarium related root rots have been associated with reduced cowpea productivity in Uganda. Sources of genetic resistance to Fusarium redolens which was found to be the most virulent have been identified but the mode of inheritance of the genes conferring the resistance is unknown. This study aims to investigate how the genes for resistance to F. redolens are inherited in cowpea. Four F. redolens root rot resistant cowpea genotypes were crossed with four intermediately resistant and 2 susceptible cowpea genotypes using North Carolina mating design II. The F1 and the parents were evaluated and data were collected on resistance to seed rot, leaf chlorophyll amount, produced lateral roots, response to plant mortality and root rot severity. Results revealed that additive gene effects were significant for all evaluated traits and non-additive genetic effects were significant in resistance to seed rot and chlorophyll amount. General combining ability (GCA) effects showed that the Asontem genotype was a good combiner for increased lateral roots production and resistance to root rot. Degree of dominance estimates revealed that response to plant mortality, root rots and increased lateral root production traits were recessively inherited while seed rot and amount of leaf chlorophyll were dominantly inherited. Key words: Vigna unguiculata, Baker’s ratio, combining ability, Fusarium redolens, heritability, Uganda.
Highlights
Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] which originated in Africa (Tan et al, 2012) is one of the most important grain legume crop grown in sub-Saharan Africa (Badiane et al, 2012)
Lateral roots percentage, and root rot severity were found to be majorly conditioned by additive genetic effects, while both additive and nonadditive gene effects were involved in the inheritance of genes leading to increased germination and amount of leaf chlorophyll
Early-generation selection could be effective for percentage of dead plants, percentage lateral roots and root rot severity, while selection at advanced would be preferable for percentage germination and amount of leaf chlorophyll
Summary
Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] which originated in Africa (Tan et al, 2012) is one of the most important grain legume crop grown in sub-Saharan Africa (Badiane et al, 2012). Cowpea can be used in human nutrition where it provides adequate amount and quality of protein and as animal feed (hay) during the dry season in many parts of Africa (Badiane et al, 2012). It has high protein content ranging between 23 and 32% of seed weight rich in lysine and tryptophan, and a considerable amount of vitamins Crop Sci. Variety Asontem IT89KD-288 NE 70 Dan1la NE 50 NE 6 SECOW 2W SECOW 3B KVU 27-1 WC 66
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