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Genetic Analysis of Vegetative-Stage Drought Tolerance in Cowpea

S. A. Mustapha,I. Atokple,R. Akromah

Published 2013 in Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences

ABSTRACT

Cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata) [L.] Walp) is a source of livelihood to millions of relatively poor people in less developed countries of the tropics. It is one of the ancient grain legume crops cultivated in semi-arid West Africa where rainfall is characteristically low (mean annual range of 300-600 mm), variable in time and space and undepen dable (Fussell et al., 1991). The grain is valued for its high protein content of about 23-25% and 50-67% starch. The fresh young leaves, immature pods and peas are used as vegetables, whil st several snacks and main dishes are prepared from the grain. The haulms are used as fod der for livestock particularly during the dry season (Blade et al., 1997). Although cowpea contri butes significantly to the income of farmers in the northern savannah zones of West Africa where varieties with grain yield potentials in excess of 3.0 t/ha have been developed for cultivat ion, farm level yields of cowpea are within the range of 0.3 to 0.65 t/ha (SARI, 1996 and 1997). Be sides the problem of insect pests (Singh and Jackai, 1985), sensitivity to soil moisture stress during the various growth stages of the crop significantly reduces grain yield. The timing and i ntensity of drought in relation to the crop phenology, sensitivity of flower, pod and seed deve lopment to high night temperatures are important constraints to sustainable cowpea product ion. The Northern sector of Ghana produces the bulk of cowpea for Ghana. After the cowpea is p lanted, drought incidence of between 20 and 30 days are not uncommon. Under this production sy stem however, the variety of cowpea that is planted need to be particularly tolerant to drought during the vegetative phase. Identification and separation of varieties that tolerate unfavourable conditions such as drought would be of great value to farmers in the semi-arid zones including N orthern Ghana.

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