Estimates of variability and genetic gains in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

The grain and vegetable cowpea types were hybridised with a view to estimating the genetic variability, heritability and expected genetic gains in their progenies. Whereas there was a wide range of variation in pod length, the variations in days to 50 per cent flowering, pods/plant, seeds/pod, 100-seed weight and grain yield were of low magnitude. There were indications of considerable dissimilarities in the loci of both cowpea types. Heritability values and genetic gains in days to 50 per cent flowering, pod length, seeds/pod, 100-seed weight and grain yield were higher in progenies from the hybridized vegetable and grain cowpeas than in the offspring from the cross between two grain cowpeas. The magnitude of the values of the estimates of heritability and genetic gain suggested that individual plant selection would be effective in crosses involving either two vegetable cowpeas or a vegetable and a grain cowpea. (Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science, 1996, 29(2): 51-52)