Characterization of cowpea [vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] genotypes using morphological characters and chemical tests
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Date
2007
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CCSHAU
Abstract
The investigation was conducted to “Characterize the cowpea genotypes
using morphological characters and chemical tests”. The experiment was conducted
during Kharif, 2006 at Dry land area, Forage Research Farm, CCS Haryana Agricultural
University, Hisar. In the present investigation twenty two cowpea genotypes were
grown in randomized block design in triplicate accommodating each genotype in singl
row of 4m length spaced 30 cm apart. Observations on 5 representative plants for leaf
colour, terminal leaflet shape, leaf margin, leaf apex, plant habit, stem colour, stem
hairiness, plant height, flower colour, 50 per cent flowering, immature pod colour, pod
shape, clusters per plant, pods per plant, pod length, days to maturity, mature pod
colour, seed coat colour, seed shape, seed crowding, eye pattern, seed yield per plant
and 100-seed weight were recorded. After harvesting protein content was estimated.
Among the morphological characters, terminal leaflet shape, leaf surface, plant habit,
stem colour, flower colour, pod shape were found to be most important diagnostic
characters for cowpea genotypes identification. Some other characters such as number
of pods per plant, days to 50 per cent flowering were also helpful in characterization but
cannot be referred as promising trait for genotype identification because of effect of
environment. Some seed characters like seed shape, seed crowding and eye pattern were
also found helpful to differentiate the cowpea genotypes. The differential response of
cowpea genotypes to different chemical tests viz. KOH-bleach test, phenol test,
modified phenol test, ferrous sulphate test and sodium hydroxide test were found to be
accurate means of categorization which shows quickness and reliability of these
chemical tests. The schematic diagram on the basis of morphological traits has good
amount of resolution in differentiating among the genotypes. While the chemical tests
though not so laborious but has less resolving capacity to differentiate among
genotypes.
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Keywords
Characterization, Morphological characters, chemical tests, Plant habit, Terminal leaflet shape, Flower colour, KOH-bleach test, Phenol test, Modified phenol test