A Field experiment was conducted to examine genetic variability, heritability, correlations and genetic advance
using 10 accessions of cowpea. 13 quantitative characters of (100-seed weight, terminal leaflet length, terminal
leaflet width, number of main branches, number of nodes on main stem, number of pods per peduncle, peduncle
length, number of pods per plant, pod length, plant height, pod weight, number of seeds per pod and number of
leaves per plant) were measured during the rainy season of 2012. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed
significant differences among the accessions for all the traits studied except number of pods per plant which showed
the highest level of coefficient of variation (CV). Genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were highest
for peduncle length, plant height and number of nodes. High broad sense heritability for seed weight, peduncle
length, plant height, pod weight and terminal leaflet width coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean
values, showed that the crop could be improved by selecting these characters. Positive correlations that existed
among the variables implied typical association among the tested traits.
Key words: Cowpea, Variability, Heritability, Quantitative traits, Genetic Advance, Nigeria
PAPER TITLE :VARIABILITY AMONG SOME ACCESSIONS OF COWPEA (VIGNA UNGUICULATA L. WALP) IN NIGERIA BASED ON THE EXPRESSION OF QUANTITATIVE TRAITS
FUTA JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE | VOLUME 10 NUMBER 1 2014
Paper Details
- Author(s) : A. T. Ajayi*, O. S. Osekita and S. O. Osaghae
- Abstract:
