Thirteen cultivars of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata ( L ) Walp) were analysed for their proximate composition, amino acid, trace element and phytic acid contents. Crude protein values rangedfrom 206.8 to 2833 g k g -DM. The mean contents (g kg-') of other major nutrients were ether extract, 18.6; ash, 38.8; total dietary jibre, 121.8 and carbohydrates, 573.4. When compared with the provisional amino acid scoring pattern of FAO, all cultivars were low in methionine and high in lysine, isoleucine, leucine and phenylalanine plus tyrosine. Values for threonine and valine were variable compared with the pattern. The range of valuesfor the chemical score was 0-61-0.74. Phytic acid values rangedfrom 5.10 to 10.279 kg-', and the phytate:zinc molar ratios were all higher than that (15:l) above which zinc deJiciency can be induced. Most ofthe trace elements showed wide variation in their occurrence among the cultivars. The values,for zinc and iron showed less variation. The toxic elements mercury and selenium were present in var?+ng amounts in more than half of the cultivars btihile tin M'US found in only one vuriety. 40 1 J Sci Food Agric 0022-5142/91/$03.50 0 1991 SCI. Printed in Great Britain