Physiological Quality of Cowpea Seeds Produced in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, Ibadan to determine the physiological qualities of cowpea seeds produced in rain forest environment. Six varieties of cowpea produced in two different locations were collected from the Legume Improvement Programme of the Institute. There were two experiments for this study. Electrolyte leakage was determined using 3 replicates of 50 pre weighed seeds with JENWAY 4510 digital electrical conductivity meter, while sterilized river bed sand was used for standard germination. All laboratory tests were conducted using the complete randomized design (CRD). The results showed that variety and location had significant (p<0.05-0.001) effects on germination percent (GCPT), germination rate index (GRI) and seedling length. Interaction between variety and location also had significant (p<0.01) effects on GCPT, GRI and seedling length. There were significant differences (p<0.05) among the varieties with respect to the germination percent. GCPT ranged from 66.67% in IT90k-227-2 to 92.67% in Ife BPC with overall means of 78.33. GCPT was higher in cowpea seeds produced in Ibadan than that produced in Ile-Ife. Number of abnormal seedlings was not statistically different from one another. Overall germination percent of the cowpea produced in Ibadan was 88.44% and the percentage was lower in Ile-Ife. Results also revealed that conductivity value was low in seed produced in Ibadan which is an indication of high quality seed over those produced in Ile-Ife. From the results of this experiment it can be deduced, that high quality seeds of cowpea can be produced in Ibadan and some other parts of the State that fall under transition environment.