Studies on Genetic Divergence among Indian and Exotic Cowpea Germplasm Based on Morphological & Agronomical Traits

Aim: Assessment and characterization of genotypes is essential for successful crop breeding efforts. This study was undertaken at the Department of Vegetable crops, GBPUAT, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India to assess and characterize the 40 cowpea germplasm from indigenous and exotic collections. Methodology: To analyze the genetic diversity, Mahalanobis D2 statistic analysis is employed. Results: Based on the findings of the current study, it can be inferred that certain genotypes, namely EC-572715 for plant height, EC-390216 for various phenological traits such as days to first flowering, days to first pod emergence, and days to first pod edible maturity, as well as WB-9 and IC-628899 for the number of primary branches, COPBVAR-3 and EC-97306 for the number of pods per cluster, EC-390216 and IC-628899 for pod length, EC-472272 and COPBVAR-3 for the number of seeds per pod, and COPBVAR-3, EC-390241, and EC-390216 for the number of pods per plant and green pod yield per plot, exhibit promising characteristics for adoption in large-scale agricultural practices following rigorous multiplication and multi-location testing. Additionally, these genotypes could serve as valuable donor parents in breeding programs aimed at improving crop traits.