Genetic variability, heritability and correlation analysis among maturity and yield traits in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) in Northern Ghana

Emmanuel Y Owusu,Benjamin Karikari,Francis Kusi,Mohammed Haruna,Richard A Amoah,Patrick Attamah,Gloria Adazebra,Emmanuel K Sie,Memunatu Issahaku

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07890

Emmanuel Y Owusu, Benjamin Karikari + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07890

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Abstract

Experimental studies were conducted to evaluate 16 advanced breeding lines of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) for genetic variability, heritability and correlation between maturity and yield related traits. The genotypes exhibited significant (P < 0.05) differences for the eight traits evaluated viz., number of days to 50 % flowering, number of days to 90 % pod maturity, plant height at maturity, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, pod yield, grain yield and hundred seed weight. SARI-3-11-100, SARI-6-2-6, SARVX-09-004 and IT07K-299-6 had grain yields of 1.99 ± 0.30, 1.88 ± 0.20, 1.95 ± 0.30 and 1.91 ± 0.20 t/ha, respectively, which were significantly higher than the check (Songotra) (1.68 ± 0.01 t/ha). In addition, SARI-5-5-5 matured significantly earlier than the check but no significant difference was observed for grain yield. The higher value of phenotypic component compared to the corresponding genotypic component for all the traits suggest that there was an environmental influence on the performance of the genotypes. Hence, the need for multi-location evaluation of the promising lines for onward release if found stable. The information provided in this study, can be exploited in cowpea breeding program.

Highlights

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) is one of the most important grain legumes in the sub-Saharan Africa and other developing countries (Dube and Fanadzo, 2013)
The crop provides income, soil fertility amendment through nitrogen fixation ability, as well as nutritious fodder for livestock (Karikari et al, 2015; Akibode, 2011; Muindi et al, 2021). It is widely cultivated in the tropical regions of West Africa due to its ability to tolerate drought (Belane and Dakora, 2009; Naab et al, 2009)
The study was conducted during the rainy seasons (July to October) of 2015, 2016 and 2017 at the experimental field of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), Nyankpala in the northern region of Ghana

Summary

Introduction

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) is one of the most important grain legumes in the sub-Saharan Africa and other developing countries (Dube and Fanadzo, 2013). The grain of cowpea contains 21–33 % protein, 57 % carbohydrate, and a rich source of calcium and iron, while the leaves contain between 27-34% protein (Belane and Dakora, 2009; Sefa-Dedeh et al, 2001; Boukar et al, 2011; Alidu et al, 2020). The crop provides income, soil fertility amendment through nitrogen fixation ability, as well as nutritious fodder for livestock (Karikari et al, 2015; Akibode, 2011; Muindi et al, 2021). It is widely cultivated in the tropical regions of West Africa due to its ability to tolerate drought (Belane and Dakora, 2009; Naab et al, 2009). Cowpea performs well in ecological zones where the annual rainfall ranges between 500 and 1200 mm (Madamba et al, 2006), with minimum and maximum temperatures of between 28 and 30 C during the growing period (Craufurd et al, 1996)

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