Determination of Biochemical Compositon of Local Cowpea Genotypes and Generating Germplasm with Potential Genitors for Breeding Programme
Project no. 311 · Status: Kapanmış · 2015
Summary
In the experiment total 94 cowpea genotypes including germplasm and commercial cultivars were examined. All the genotypes were characterized for 31 agro-morphological and biochemical traits from seedling emergence to crop maturity. Genetic variation was highly significant, and phenotypic diversity was observed for agromorphological and biochemical traits. Examined traits were classified by principal components analysis (PCA) into 9 components, which explained 70.50% of the total variation. PCA revealed that seed properties such as width, diameter, length, eye color properties (L, hue angle), seed shape, antioxidant and total phenol were the primary characteristics to discriminate cowpea genotypes, and significant association was not apparent between geographic origin and agromorphological traits. The analysis of variation carried out on the agronomic and morphological properties of the pepper has shown considerable morphologic and biochemical variation among cowpea genotype. Diversity of cultivated crops related with the evolution process could be due to the cuisine of the culture influenced by the farmers’ selection, which has been applied from antiquity. Furthermore, antropical action in the selection procedure, and evaluative forces accompanied by climate may explain the degree of diversity in cowpea. Additionally, some phenotypic traits that affected the genotypic differences may have appeared under the influence of natural and environmental mutations. On the basis of present results, it would be possible to select favourable genotypes or parent donor to develop cowpea varieties for fresh pods, grain, and fodder. Because no single variety is suitable for all conditions, there is a need to develop varieties with different attributes to suit the specific needs of different regions and cropping systems.