Genetic characterization in vegetable cowpea [vigna unguiculata (L.) walp.]
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Date
2012
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Publisher
CCSHAU
Abstract
The extent of genetic variability for quantitative traits was assessed in 46 genotypes
of cowpea along with nature and magnitude of association between pod yield and its
component traits. Also, the magnitude of genetic divergence of genotypes was assessed. The
present studies revealed that leaf form, flower colour, pod colour and plant growth habit were
found to be important diagnostic characters for varietal identification in cowpea. Analysis of
variance revealed significant difference among the genotypes for all the characters. High
GCV and PCV coupled with high heritability and genetic advance were recorded for length of
pod, weight per pod, number of pod per plant, pod yield per plant, number of seeds per pod,
plant height at final harvest and harvest index. Also, positive association was observed with
weight per pod, number of pods per plant, length of pod and breadth of pod. Path analysis
revealed that weight per pod, days to last picking and harvest index had considerable
influence on pod yield. Mahalanobis D2 statistics indicated considerable diversity and
genotypes were grouped into eight clusters. The cluster IV was the largest with 15 genotypes
followed by cluster VII with 11, cluster III had 6, cluster I, V, VI and VII comprised 3
genotypes, and cluster II had 2 genotypes. Maximum inter cluster distance was observed
between V and VIII, indicating maximum divergence among genotypes. The highest intracluster
distance was recorded for cluster V (5.14). The highest contribution to the diversity
was recorded by number of seeds per pod and plant height at final harvest.
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Keywords
Genotypes, Planting, Harvesting, Yields, Cowpeas, Diseases, Genetics, Developmental stages, Sowing, Biological phenomena