Biometrics and phenotypic characterization of cowpea genotypes for green pod production

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252026v3914425rc

Keywords:

Vigna unguiculata. Genotype selection. Path analysis. Principal component analysis. Cluster analysis.

Abstract

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] is widely cultivated in Brazil, with diverse genotypes, which make it adaptable to different production systems and cultivation purposes, whether for grain or pod production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of cowpea genotypes based on phenotypic traits for green pod production in southern Tocantins, Brazil. Two experiments were conducted, in Gurupi, Tocantins, and in Dianópolis, Tocantins. Twenty cowpea genotypes were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with four repetitions. The following traits were evaluated: pod length and width, number of grains per pod, number of pods per plant, weight of 100 green grains, wet and dry weight of 15 pods, pod moisture content, and green pod yield. The experimental data were subjected to analysis of variance, principal component analysis, Pearson's linear correlation analysis, path analysis, and cluster analysis. Green pod yield was the trait that contributed the most to the total variability observed in the study. Correlation analysis and path analysis demonstrated that green pod yield was most directly affected by the number of pods per plant and wet pod weight. Cluster analysis based on the Mahalanobis distance matrix formed four distinct groups. The genotypes MNC11-1013E-16, MNC11-1019E-8, MNC11-1020E-16, MNC11-1026E-15 and MNC11-1026E-19 stood out with the highest green pod yield values.

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Published

15-05-2026

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Scientific Article