Authors : C.O. Aremu and B.D. Adewale
Abstract: Cowpea genotypes with explorable traits for humid environment performance remain a major concern to plant breeders. Practical breeding programme require knowledge of gene actions explorable for yield improvement. This study studied genetic variations and heterosis from a cross of landrace and cultivar parents. Four generations of 1st and 2nd filial (F1 and F2) and backcrosses to the parents (Bc1 and Bc2) were raised. About 10 traits were evaluated. Numbers of branch, seed and maturity time gave high heterotic values in the F2, Bc1 and Bc2. Genetic diversity between the 2 parents accounted for differences in the heterotic performance of the traits. Genotypic variations and additive gene component (D) were high for flowering and maturity periods, branching and peduncle traits in the generations. High genetic advance complemented the high heritability estimates for same traits. Selection of these traits for cowpea yield improvement for humid environment specific performance was found reliable.
C.O. Aremu and B.D. Adewale, 2010. Heterosis and Phenolic Performance in a Selected Cross of Cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp for Humid Environment Performance. Agricultural Journal, 5: 292-296.