GROWTH, YIELD AND GENETIC VARIABILITY OF TEN COWPEA (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) ACCESSIONS IN GUMA AND MAKURDI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
Keywords:
Cowpea, genotype × environment interaction, heritability, genetic advanceAbstract
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is an important legume crop, yet information on the comparative agronomic performance of improved accessions across different agro-ecologies in Benue State remains limited. This study was therefore conducted to evaluate the comparative performance of ten cowpea accessions obtained from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Guma and Makurdi Local Government Areas of Benue State. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was used at both locations. Germination percentage showed no significant difference among accessions at either location. Accession G recorded the highest plant height (88.98 ± 2.60 cm), leaf area (73.95 ± 1.29), 100-seed weight (10.44 ± 0.21 g) and pod number (32.33 ± 3.06) (p < 0.05), with accessions H, I, B and D ranking next for these traits. Plant height and branch number were higher in Guma, while leaf area, flower production and pod formation were higher in Makurdi. Genotypic coefficients of variation were generally lower than phenotypic coefficients of variation, indicating environmental influence on trait expression. Total pod number and 100-seed weight recorded high heritability (91.65% and 94.14%) and high genetic gain (102.50% and 29.43%), making them reliable selection criteria in cowpea improvement programmes. The consistent superiority of accession G across both environments within this single season indicated broad adaptability. Accession G is identified as the most promising genotype for cultivation and future varietal development in Benue State, while accessions B, D and I also show considerable potential for genetic improvement.
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