3.4 DISCUSSIONS
3.4.1 Phenotypic characterization
Accurate description of cowpea genotypes is crucial towards making a decision to release a variety as well as conservation of germplasm. The identities of 38 cowpea genotypes were established by using morphological characteristics described as cowpea descriptors (Makanur et al., 2013). Both quantitative and qualitative parameters considered in the current work showed variations among the 38 cowpea genotypes.
Variation in growth habit was evident among the cowpeas. The semi-erect growth habit was predominantly expressed in 58.7% of the cowpea genotypes studied. However, 19.8% had acute erect growth habit, 18.3% erect growth habit, 2.4% prostrate growth habit and the least was climbing growth …show more content…
On the whole, the average heights of cowpea plants in the major season were higher than the mean height recorded in the minor season. Values determined for mean plant height in the present study are within the ranges reported in earlier studies by Aboyomi et al. (2008) who recorded values between 20.21 cm to 59.12 cm in cowpea genotypes but lower than those reported by Peksen and Artık (2004) and also Khan et al. (2010). Plant height varied significantly among the genotypes of cowpea grown under the same conditions on the field. The observed variation in plant height may be attributed to genetic differences among the …show more content…
1997). The length of reproductive period varied significantly among genotypes with early flowering genotype, IT10K-836-2 taking 36 days to attain 50% flowering. The rest of the cowpea genotypes took between 36-46 days to flower which is contrary to expected 30 days from planting to flowering for early maturing and 90 -100 days for late cultivars (PROTA, 2002). Selection for differing degrees of photosensitivity or differences in juvenility is required for the different climatic zones so that pod ripening coincides with the end of the rainy season in a given zone, regardless of planting date, which is often inconsistent due to the variable onset of rains in the various climatic zones (Steele and Mehra 1980). This will allow pods to escape damage from excessive moisture and pathogens, which can affect the
3.4.1 Phenotypic characterization
Accurate description of cowpea genotypes is crucial towards making a decision to release a variety as well as conservation of germplasm. The identities of 38 cowpea genotypes were established by using morphological characteristics described as cowpea descriptors (Makanur et al., 2013). Both quantitative and qualitative parameters considered in the current work showed variations among the 38 cowpea genotypes.
Variation in growth habit was evident among the cowpeas. The semi-erect growth habit was predominantly expressed in 58.7% of the cowpea genotypes studied. However, 19.8% had acute erect growth habit, 18.3% erect growth habit, 2.4% prostrate growth habit and the least was climbing growth …show more content…
On the whole, the average heights of cowpea plants in the major season were higher than the mean height recorded in the minor season. Values determined for mean plant height in the present study are within the ranges reported in earlier studies by Aboyomi et al. (2008) who recorded values between 20.21 cm to 59.12 cm in cowpea genotypes but lower than those reported by Peksen and Artık (2004) and also Khan et al. (2010). Plant height varied significantly among the genotypes of cowpea grown under the same conditions on the field. The observed variation in plant height may be attributed to genetic differences among the …show more content…
1997). The length of reproductive period varied significantly among genotypes with early flowering genotype, IT10K-836-2 taking 36 days to attain 50% flowering. The rest of the cowpea genotypes took between 36-46 days to flower which is contrary to expected 30 days from planting to flowering for early maturing and 90 -100 days for late cultivars (PROTA, 2002). Selection for differing degrees of photosensitivity or differences in juvenility is required for the different climatic zones so that pod ripening coincides with the end of the rainy season in a given zone, regardless of planting date, which is often inconsistent due to the variable onset of rains in the various climatic zones (Steele and Mehra 1980). This will allow pods to escape damage from excessive moisture and pathogens, which can affect the