Assessment of Genetic Variability of Some Quantitative Traits of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.,] walp) Varieties

The studies on the assessment of genetic variability of some quantitative traits of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.,] WALP) varieties were conducted at the green house of the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Completely Randomized Design was used. The Seeds of the three cowpea varieties (IT87D 941-1, IT97K 499-35 and Dankurmi) were sown in Plastic pots and are arranged in six replications. Variations of selected quantitative traits were studied in three cowpea varieties (IT87D941 - I, IT97K 499 - 35 and Dankurmi) and their F1 and F2 hybrids. The first two varieties are improved varieties which are tall and photo-insensitive. The latter is a local variety which is short and photo-sensitive. There were improvements in quantitative traits of F1 hybrids derived from crosses involving Dankurmi. Highly significant differences were observed in many traits such as height at maturity, number of pods per plants, length of pods per plants, number of seed per pod and leaf area in the F2 population. Positive correlation coefficient was obtained and this will enhance productivity through selection using the two characters positively correlated. It was concluded that hybrid plants were found to be vigorous and intermediate between the parent varieties with respect to many quantitative traits. The seed set data indicated that cross compatibility was lower in crosses involving Dankurmi, which may be due to low pollen content and the high seed set in IT87K 499-35 suggests high receptivity for pollen. This may be due to high fertility and compatibility. This study recommended that cross combination through the use of hybridization would improve the quality and quantity of quantitative traits which would in turn improve the quality and quantity of cowpea genotypes (varieties).