Seed yield and agronomic performance of seven improved cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) varieties in Ghana

Abstract

Cowpea is well adapted to environmental conditions that affect crop production such as drought, high temperatures and other biotic stresses compared with other crops. Notwithstanding, growth and development of many cowpea cultivars are affected by drought and high temperatures, especially during floral development. This is because cowpea cultivars tend to have narrow range of adaptation as cultivars developed for one zone usually are not very productive in other zones. A study on the yield and growth performance of seven cowpea varieties was conducted during the 2012 major and minor rainy seasons at the CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Kwadaso-Kumasi, Ghana to compare the performance of the seasonal variation on each variety. These improved varieties Nhyira, Tona, Asetenapa, Asomdwe, Hewale, Videza and IT 89KD374-57 were evaluated using a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. The results showed that varieties Hewale, Videza and Nhyira gave higher seed yields, whereas IT 89KD374-57 and Asetenapa had lower seed yields. Nhyira and Hewale gave comparatively better seed yields under both conditions. Hewale was the highest seedyielding genotype under both major and minor raining season. Cowpea production could be a profitable agribusiness for cowpea growers in Ghana considering the higher returns in terms of grain yield obtained in both seasons.

Response of cowpea (Vigna anguiculata [L.] walp) varieties following application of nitrogen fertilizers and inoculation

“…This might be due to the maximum plant growth that took place on 60 DAP. This result is in line with the report of Agyeman et al [19] who reported that at the final harvest stage plant height for cowpea were consistently increased. Similarly, Blum et al [20] suggested that the final height of the plant can be taken as a vital measure of the response of plants to nutrient and moisture stress.…”

“…Moreover, significant differences were observed among the cowpea varieties. Cowpea varietal differences may be due to genotypic characteristics as reported by Abayomi et al [34] and Agyeman et al [19].…”

Estimation of genetic parameters in white seed cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp)

“…The coefficients of phenotypic variation in lines, check varieties and general, were less than 10.0% for all the characteristics studied, except for yield per plant that ranged from 17.56 to 20.47% (Table 1), which indicates reliability in these records, high accuracy and valid conclusions (Correa et al, 2012), being comparable to those of Silva et al (2014) and Agyeman et al (2015) and lower than those reported by Raturi et al (2015) in cultivars of Vigna unguiculata and Vigna radiata.…”

“…Studies of genetic parameters for different plant characters have been reported in several agricultural species (Kumar et al, 2013, Raturi et al, 2015, Ali et al, 2016. In Vigna unguiculata, estimates of the most important parameters such as genetic variability, heritability and genetic progress, by direct and indirect selection, have contributed to significant genetic progress in characters of interest for its use in the conservation and development of cultivars with greater adaptation , Production and productivity, according to the needs, conditions and requirements of the producers, processors and final consumers (Andrade et al, 2010, Manggoel et al, 2012, Ribeiro et al 2014, Silva et al, 2014, Agyeman et al, 2015and Rambabu et al, 2016.…”

Association Mapping for Drought Tolerance and Yield-Related Traits in Cowpea Accessions

“…According to (2), all cultivated cowpeas are grouped under the species Vigna unguiculata, which is subdivided into four cultivar groups: Unguiculata (common cowpea for food and fodder), Biflora (catjang), Sesquipedalis (yard long or asparagus bean used as a vegetable), and Textilis (used for fibres). The crop is of major importance to many smallholder farmers in Africa and the developing world, as it serves as food, cash crop, animal feed, and manure (3).…”