Farmer participation in selection within segregating populations of cowpea in Volta Region, Ghana

Kenneth Fafa Egbadzor,Eric Yirenkyi Danquah,Martin Yeboah,Daniel Ashie Kotey,Samuel Kwame Offei,Mark Dadoza,Kwadwo Ofori,Dickson Korku Gamedoagbao

doi:10.1186/s40066-015-0037-1

Abstract

Participatory plant breeding leads to early adoption of a newly released variety as farmers would be aware of whatever advantage it might have over prior existing ones as early as possible. Cowpea farmers around Ohawu in the Volta Region of Ghana where the crop is one of the most important cash crops had no variety specifically developed for their environment. This research followed farmers’ interest identified earlier for the development of varieties with preferred consumer traits. Farmers were chosen from 25 communities within the cowpea growing area by the help of agricultural extension officers. Fifty farmers including 25 males and females each, 7 scientists and 15 other persons with different backgrounds were involved in the selection exercise. The final plants selected were based on the total number of participants’ endorsement and analysis of variance for their seed size. Selections were made from six F3 populations with parents of various unique traits obtained from Botswana, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, or United States of America. Four most liked cowpea plants from each of the six populations were selected to be advanced and tried in multi-locations towards probable release. Participants were very enthused with the selection exercise hoping of seeing some of their selections resulting into varieties. Farmers were interested in selecting plants with long multiple pods and early maturing. The exercise was educative for all participants.

Highlights

Participatory plant breeding leads to early adoption of a newly released variety as farmers would be aware of whatever advantage it might have over prior existing ones as early as possible
Participants were very enthused with the selection exercise hoping of seeing some of their selections resulting into varieties
Farmers were interested in selecting plants with long multiple pods and early maturing

Summary

Introduction

Participatory plant breeding leads to early adoption of a newly released variety as farmers would be aware of whatever advantage it might have over prior existing ones as early as possible. One of the important traits desired in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] by consumers is large seed size in. Large seed size preference is not limited to cowpea but known in some other crops such as rice [5]. Much crop breeding objectives have not been directly focused on seed size compared with such traits as biotic and abiotic stress tolerance [6, 7]. This is not to say that seed size has never been studied. Flavonoids represent a large class of secondary plant metabolites within which anthocyanins are the most known [8]. Anthocyanins are known to be important to plants in response to abiotic factors such as drought [9] as well as biotic (insect pests’ resistance) [10]

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Conclusion