African Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 6(23), pp.

5232-5241, 19 October, 2011

Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/AJAR
ISSN 1991-637X ©2011 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative study on the phenology and yield

components of two photoperiodic groups of cowpea
(Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) in two cropping seasons
Manggoel, W.1* and Uguru, M. I.2
1
Department of Agricultural Technology, College of Agriculture, P. M. B. 001, Garkawa, Nigeria.
2
Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
Accepted 22 March, 2011

Field experiments were carried out in 2006 and 2007 cropping seasons at the Teaching and Research
Farm of the Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to assess the earliness to
flowering and the yield of two photoperiodic groups of cowpea. The experimental materials comprised
of 6 cowpea accessions obtained from Plateau State and 4 accessions from Enugu State, Nigeria. The
experimental design used was a Randomized Complete Block Design with the 10 accessions as
treatments. The cowpea accessions differed significantly (P < 0.05) in days to flowering and other yield
traits assessed. The principal component (PC) analysis revealed that the first three PC contributed
78.11% of the variability among the 10 cowpea accessions evaluated. In both seasons, the most
effective traits responsible for variability among the cowpea accessions in the first principal axis
included number of peduncles plant-1, number of flowers plant-1, number of pods plant-1, and grain yield.
On the second PC axis the cowpea accessions were differentiated on the basis of days to first and 50%
flowering. The intra-population variability evaluated by hierarchial cluster analysis conducted on the
quantitative traits effectively grouped the accessions into two clusters at both cropping seasons. The
cluster plots showed cluster I as day neutral (DN) cowpea accessions (Akidi-ani, Akidi-enu1, Akidi-enu2
and Akidi-enu3) that flowered early (< 45 days) with poor yield components; while cluster II comprised
the short day (SD) accessions (Bwa-Tal, Bwa-Chip, Gag, Gazum and Du’ut) that flowered late (> 45
days), and were prolific in the yield traits assessed. The accession, Jalbang however, alienated itself
from the clusters and was genetically independent. Grain yield of the SD accessions were significantly
higher (> 1000 kg ha-1) than those of the DN accessions (< 1000 kg ha-1). The accession, Gag was
distinct in grain yield as it produced over 1600 kg ha-1. Pearson correlation coefficients revealed
-1
significant positive relationship between grain yield and number of peduncles plant (0.796**), number
-1 -1
of flowers plant (0.774**), number of pods plant (0.758**) and pod length (0.728**). However, inverse
relationships were obtained when days to flowering were associated with grain yield.

Key words: Accession, phenology, photoperiod, Vigna unguiculata.

INTRODUCTION

Cowpea, (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), is one of the
most widely adapted grain legumes in the hot regions of
Africa, Asia and Americas. It is one of the main
subsistence crops in Nigeria because of its good
adaptability to the edaphic-climatic conditions and it is an
*Corresponding author. E-mail: haskekate@yahoo.com. Tel:
08065758913.
excellent plant protein source for the teaming population
(Lopes et al., 2003). Cowpea is cultivated in all tropical
areas on at least 12.5 million hectares, with an annual
production of over 3 million tons world-wide (Feleke et al.,
2006). Nigeria, Brazil and Niger are among major
producers and account for over 70% of world production;
and Nigeria alone produce 900,000 tons annually (Jackai
and Daoust, 1986). The consumption of cowpea has
increased rapidly, but local production has maintained an
arithmetic progression (Nnanyelugo et al., 1997).

Consequently, cowpea farmers in the dry savanna
areas of sub-Saharan Africa obtain low yields, estimated
at about 350 kg/ ha; and in Nigeria, yield can be as low
as 220 kg ha-1 (IITA, 1998). The reasons for the poor
yield of cowpea range from low yield potential of
traditional cultivars to poor crop husbandry and insect
damage (Jackai and Daoust, 1986; Omoigui et al., 2005).
Genetic information is needed to device efficient breeding
procedures which could lead to the development of
improved and high yielding cowpea varieties suitable for
different ecological zones and cropping systems. It is in
view of this that cowpea genetic research has been of
immense interest since the beginning of the 1900’s
(Rachie, 1985).
Studies on the level of cowpea genetic variation are
essential to enrich the crop’s gene bank, thereby
enhancing its breeding programs. Some of the recent
works that have added information to the genetics of
cowpea include inheritance of qualitative and quantitative
characters such as days to flowering and maturity, seed
and pod yields, seed size and colour, flower colour, plant
pigmentation, protein content etc. (Uguru, 1995; Biradar
et al., 1997; Fery and Singh et al., 1997; Ishiyaku et al.,
2005; Singh, 2005; Othman et al., 2006). The need for a
continuous genetic improvement of cowpea was brought
to bear when Awopetu and Aliyu (2000) reported that in
predominantly inbreeding plant communities, with its
concomitant genetic uniformity, there is a high risk of a
build up of virulent biotypes that may eventually lead to
large crop losses. The collection and use of genetically
diverse parents in a breeding arrangement may alleviate
such problems and perhaps increase the chances of
obtaining transgressive segregants for desired traits.
Such opportunities have been exploited in the past when
Uguru (1996) characterized and hybridized the grain and
vegetable cowpeas and reported the existence of wide
variability and considerable dissimilarities in the loci of
both cowpea types.
Heritability values and genetic gains in days to 50%
flowering, pod length, seeds/pod, 100-seed weight and
grain yield were, according to the author, higher in
progenies from the hybridized vegetable and grain
cowpeas than in the progenies from the cross between
two grain cowpeas. Several other studies on the
inheritance patterns, variability and genetic gains of
cowpea yield components have been reported. High
genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), heterosis and
heritability estimates for most yield components have
been reported in cowpea (Sangwan and Lodhi, 1995;
Pathmanathan et al., 1997; Bhor et al., 1997; Umaharan
et al., 1997; Omoigui et al., 2006).
Previous studies relating to genetic variability in
cowpea and other crops indicate that the magnitude of
variability and other genetic parameters for a character
vary from one location to another and also depend on the
genotype in use (Omoigui et al., 2006). This is probably
why Uguru (1996) reported that due to the environmental
Ijoyah 5233
constraints of the derived savannah and the rainforest
zones, the pod development of grain cowpea in wetter
regions is essentially vestigial; as there was high degree
of premature flower and fruit abortions with serious
implications on pod yield in the grain cowpea. This
obviously implies that differences in cowpea yields exist
across locations. Consequently, several multi-locational
field evaluations of elite varieties of cowpea have been
carried out. For instance, the performances of 12 cowpea
varieties at several locations in West Africa were
assessed by Singh et al. (1997). The authors reported
significant differences in yield of cultivars across
locations. IT90K-277-2, for instance, gave 2371 kg/ha
grain yield at Kano (Nigeria), 1432 kg/ha at Gumel
(Nigeria), 1829 kg/ha at Maroua (Cameroon) and 1843
kg/ha at Maradi (Niger).
IITA (1998) reports also indicated varietal differences in
grain and fodder yields of 10 dual purpose cowpea lines
in which grain yield ranged from 691 to 1159 kg/ha at
Kadawa, 797 to 1725 kg/ha at Minjibir and 1183 to 1710
kg/ha at Samaru; the fodder yields for the three locations
were 903 to 2517, 2213 to 3880 and 1319 to 2500 kg/ha,
respectively. The differences in yield could be attributed
to variations in adaptation to the local environment and
tolerance to pest and diseases.
Most of these evaluation studies used improved
varieties produced by seed companies; thus the
preservation of bio-diverse indigenous crops are left in
the hands of traditional agricultural practice (Uguru,
1998). This has led to the extinction of many landraces
and traditional varieties. Knowledge about the genetic
diversities of local indigenous crops is important to
ensure germplasm conservation for breeding
programmes. This study was therefore initiated to
evaluate two photoperiodic groups of cowpea with a view
to establishing their respective phonological and yield
attributes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Two field experiments were carried out in 2006 and 2007 cropping
seasons at the Research Field of the Department of Crop Science,
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
(Latitude 06°52′N; Longitude 07°24′E, and altitude of 447.2 m
above sea level. Nsukka is in the derived savannah agro-ecological
zone with vegetation predominantly of grass interspersed with
trees. The rainfall is bimodal with an annual total of about 1,500 m.
The relative humidity ranges from 70 to 80% while the ambient
temperature ranges from 20 to 30°C during the rainy season. The
experimental materials comprised ten cowpea accessions. Six were
collected from Plateau State, North central Nigeria and four from
Nsukka, Enugu State, South eastern Nigeria.
The experimental design was a randomized complete block
design (RCBD) with three replications. The experimental unit was 4
x 4 m (16 m2). Ten cowpea accessions served as the treatments.
The experimental plot was 0.075 ha. This was ploughed and
harrowed to provide a fine tilth. Planting was done in July of 2006
and 2007 using a 1 x 1 m intra- and inter- row spacing. The plots
were weeded manually to keep weed pressure low. Other
recommended agronomic management practices were adopted for
5234 Afr. J. Agric. Res.

Table 1. Description of the short day (SD) and day neutral (DN) cowpea accessions used in the study.

Photoperiod Latitude and 100-seed Seed size Seedcoat

Accession State Village/Town Growth habit
Response longitude weight (g) description colour
Bwa-Tal SD Plateau Tal-Pankshin 9026’N 9008’E Decumbent 22.3 Large*** Cream
Bwa-Chip SD Plateau Chip-Pankshin 9026’N 9008’E Decumbent 20.4 Large Ash
Gag SD Plateau Tal-Pankshin 9026’N 9008’E Climbing 15.9 Medium** Black
Gazum SD Plateau Gazum 9008’N 9047’E Decumbent 27.3 Large White
0 0
Du’ut SD Plateau Shendam 8 43’N 9 30’E Decumbent 27.4 Large White
Jalbang SD Plateau Shendam 9026’N 9008’E Decumbent 17.4 Medium Oxblood
Akidi-ani DN Enugu Nsukka 6052’N 7024’E Decumbent 11.3 Small* Black
0 0
Akidi-enu1 DN Enugu Nsukka 6 52’N 7 24’E Climbing 11.4 Small Black
0 0
Akidi-enu2 DN Enugu Nsukka 6 52’N 7 24’E Climbing 10.8 Small Ash
Akidi-enu3 DN Enugu Nsukka 6 52’N 7024’E
0
Climbing 10.7 Small Brown
*Small = < 15 g/100-seed weight, **medium = 15-19 g/100-seed weight, ***large = > 20 g/100-seed weight; (Omoigui et al., 2006).

optimum crop growth and development.
Data collection
The data collected include days to 50% emergence,
number of leaves/plant, vine length, number of primary
branches/plant, days to first flowering, days to 50%
flowering, number of flowers/plant, number of
peduncles/plant, number of pods/plant, pod length, number
of seeds/pod, 100-seed weight and grain yield. Numerical
counts were made for the number of leaves/plant and
number of primary branches/plant. Vine length was
measured at 4, 8, 12 … weeks after planting (WAP). Days
to first flowering was recorded as the number of days from
sowing to first flower production, defined as corrolla colour
visible. Days to 50% flowering was monitored as the
number of days from sowing to when 50% of the plants
flowered. A numerical count of the number of flowers/plant,
peduncles/plant, and seeds/pod was done. One hundred
seeds were weighed to obtain the 100-seed weight for
each accession and grain yield plot-1 were weighed and
extrapolated to hectare equivalent in line with standard unit
of measuring grain yield (kg/ha).
Data analysis
Data for all the variables measured were subjected to
analysis of variance (ANOVA), using Genstat software
version 7.22 to determine the effect of cowpea accessions,
cropping season and cowpea accessions x cropping
season interactions on all the yield traits collected. The
Fisher’s least significant difference (F-LSD) was used to
detect significant differences between treatment means as
outlined by Obi (2002). Test of significance was at 5%
probability level. Using the quantitative data, the principal
component and cluster analyses were performed
(Johnson, 1998; Manly, 1994) to identify the variability
among the cowpea accessions and their groupings.
Hierarchical clustering was performed to classify the
cowpea accessions and populations, based on squared
Euclidean distances (Johnson, 1998; Oyiga et al., 2010).
Pearson correlation coefficient was employed to estimate
the relationship between floral, pod, and seed traits with
grain yield using SPSS software package version 16.
RESULTS
The source and description of the 10 cowpea
accessions used in the study are presented in
Table 1. Distinct phenotypic differences were
observed among the parental cowpea accessions
used in the study. The parents were sourced from
two locations (Plateau and Enugu State); and they
belonged to two distinct photoperiodic groups, day
neutral (Enugu state) and short day (Plateau
State); two growth habits (climbing and
decumbent) and three seed sizes (small, medium
and large) described in line with the method
adopted by Omoigui et al. (2006). The mean
values of temperature for the period of study, July-
November, 2006 and July-November, 2007 were
28.7 and 29.8°C, respectively. The average
maximum and minimum temperature were 30.1
and 21.5°C, respectively. Photoperiod in the study
-1
area also ranged from 10 to 13.4 hd . The lower
-1
limit of this photoperiod (10 hd ) provides the
short day condition, while the upper limit (13.4 hd-
1
) provides the long day condition (University of
Nigeria, Nsukka Meteorological Station).
Days to flowering
Parental differences among the 10 cowpea
accessions in days to first and 50% flowering for
the two cropping seasons are presented in Table
2. The cowpea accessions differed significantly (P
< 0.05) in days to first flowering. The mean days
 Ijoyah 5235

Table 2. Differences among 10 short day (SD) and day neutral (DN) cowpea accessions in Days to flowering for two growing
seasons.

Days to first flowering Days to 50% flowering

Accessions
2006 2007 Mean 2006 2007 Mean
Bwa-Tal 60.1 61.0 60.6 63.0 65.3 64.2
Bwa-Chip 55.4 61.3 58.4 57.3 66.0 61.7
Gag 56.6 60.3 58.5 58.7 63.7 61.2
Gazum 63.0 65.3 64.2 69.7 70.3 70.0
Du’ut 54.3 57.7 56.0 56.3 60.3 58.3
Jalbang 64.2 66.7 65.5 72.7 70.7 71.7
Akidi-ani 41.0 39.3 40.2 43.3 43.3 43.3
Akidi-enu1 43.1 39.0 41.1 50.0 42.0 46.0
Akidi-enu2 41.4 38.3 39.9 46.3 42.0 44.1
Akidi-enu3 42.6 42.0 42.3 50.3 42.0 46.2
Mean 52.1 52.7 57.2 56.2
FLSD0.05
Accession (A) 3.40 3.28
Year (Y) NS NS
AxY NS NS
NS: Not significant.

Table 3. Eigenvector values for principal components using yield traits for 10 cowpea accessions averaged over two cropping seasons.

Traits PC1 PC2 PC3

Days to first flowering 0.20714 0.50528 -0.08894
Days to 50% flowering 0.20546 0.55067 -0.06270
Number Of Peduncle plant-1 -0.37299 -0.24530 -0.11870
Number of flower plant-1 -0.42625 0.13625 0.15221
Number of pods plant-1 -0.38262 -0.25446 -0.06870
Pod length (cm) -0.19925 -0.17367 -0.40702
Number of seeds pod-1 -0.29753 0.56049 -0.14306
100-Seed weight -0.21830 0.46913 0.02857
Grain yield (Kg ha-1) 0.39581 -0.16511 -0.17960
Percentage variation 47.82 22.56 7.73
PC1- First principal component axis, PC2- second principal component axis and PC3- third principal component axis.

to first flowering for DN cowpea accessions ranged from
40 to 42 days, while the SD accessions had significant (P
< 0.05) delay as it took between 56 to 66 days before
flowering. Days to 50% flowering followed the same trend
as SD accessions took longer time (ranging from 58 to 72
days) to flower when compared to the DN accessions (43
to 46 days). There was however no significant difference
between the two cropping years as well as the
interactions between the cowpea accessions and years.
Principal component analysis (PCA)
The result of the principal component analysis for the 10
cowpea accessions averaged over two cropping seasons
are presented in Table 3. The first three components
contributed 78.11% of the variability among the 10
cowpea accessions evaluated. The PC1, PC2 and PC3
accounted for 47.82, 22.56 and 7.73% of the total
variation, respectively. The contribution of the traits
towards the diversity of the cowpea accessions revealed
that in the first principal component axis, the traits with
the highest loadings were number of peduncles plant-1,
-1 -1
number of flowers plant , number of pods plant and
grain yield. The second principal component axis
weighed highest in days to first flowering, days to 50%
flowering, number of seeds pod-1 and 100-seed weight.
The third principal component axis loaded high for pod
5236 Afr. J. Agric. Res.

5
CODE ACCESSION NAME

CA6 CA1= Bwa-Tal

4

CA2= Bwa-Chip
3
CA3= Gag
PC2, 22.56%

2 CA4= Gazum
CA4 CA5= Du’ut
1
II
CA5
CA6= Jalbang
CA10
0
CA7 CA2
I CA7= Akidi-ani
-1
CA8 CA8= Akidi-enu1
CA3CA1
-2
CA9 CA9= Akidi-enu2

CA10= Akidi-enu3
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

PC1, 47.82%
Figure 1. Cluster diagram showing the distribution of SD and DN cowpea accessions averaged over two cropping
seasons.

CA1

CODE ACCESSION NAME

CA2

Cluster II CA1= Bwa-Tal

CA3
CA2= Bwa-Chip
CA5
CA3= Gag
CA4 CA4= Gazum

CA8 CA5= Du’ut

CA9
CA6= Jalbang
Cluster I
CA7= Akidi-ani
CA7
CA8= Akidi-enu1
CA10
CA9= Akidi-enu2
Outlier
CA6
CA10= Akidi-enu3
1.00 0.98 0.96 0.94 0.92 0.90 0.88

Figure 2. Dendrogram cluster analysis of the 10 cowpea accessions based on yield traits
averaged over two cropping seasons.

length. The two-dimensional scatter plot analysis not belong to any of the clusters. Cluster I comprised the
conducted on the yield traits apparently grouped the DN cowpea accessions: Akidi-ani, Akidi-enu1, Akidi-enu2
cowpea accessions into two clusters (Figures 1 and 2) , and Akidi-enu3; while cluster II consist of the SD
with the accession, CA6 (Jalbang) as an outlier that did accessions, Bwa-Tal, Bwa-Chip, Gag, Gazum and Du’ut.
 Ijoyah 5237

Table 4. Clusters means for nine yield traits in 10 cowpea accessions averaged over two cropping seasons.

Traits Cluster I Cluster II *Jalbang

Days to first flowering 42.0 57.9 64.2
Days to 50% flowering 47.7 61.0 71.7
-1
Number of Peduncle plant 34.8 40.9 23.7
-1
Number of flower plant 56.0 82.3 57.3
-1
Number of pods plant 43.0 49.5 35.0
Pod length (cm) 16.5 18.9 15.3
Number of seeds pod-1 13.1 14.5 10.3
100-seed weight 11.8 19.0 16.9
-1
Grain yield (Kg ha ) 820.2 1142.5 525.0
* Jalbang = outlier.

Table 5. Correlation coefficients of days to flowering and yield components of 10 cowpea accessions averaged over two cropping season.

DFF 50% DF PE/P FL/P PO/P PL (cm) S/PO 100-SW GY

DFF 1
50% DF 0.965** 1
PE/P 0.082 -0.060 1
FL/P 0.639* 0.549* 0.547 1
PO/P 0.115 -0.056 0.836** 0.662* 1
PL 0.254 0.100 0.857** 0.655* 0.780** 1
S/PO 0.081 -0.015 0.392 0.588 0.577 0.584 1
100-SW 0.789** 0.767** 0.110 0.603 0.001 0.099 0.144 1
GY -0.081 -0.042 0.796** 0.774** 0.758** 0.728** 0.472 0.276 1
** Correlation is significant at 0.01 level of probability (2-tailed), * correlation is significant at 0.05 level of probability (2-tailed), DFF = days to first
flowering, 50%DF = 50% days to flowering, FL/P = flowers/Pod, PO/P = pods/plant, PL = pod length (cm), S/PO = seeds/ pod, 100SW = 100-seed
weight (g), GY = grain yield (Kg/ha).

The cowpea accessions in the different specific groups
appear to maintain some level of distance from one
another.
The cluster mean values for the yield traits of the 10
cowpea accessions evaluated are presented in Table 4.
The cluster means show that cluster I comprised early
flowering cowpea accessions that were poor in all other
yield traits assessed. Conversely, the cowpea accessions
in cluster II were late flowering and were excellent in the
production of peduncles plant-1, flowers plant-1, pods
-1 -1
plant , pod length, seeds pod , 100-seed weight and
grain yield. Although, the cowpea accession, Jalbang did
not belong to any of the clusters, it flowered late and had
very poor record of the assessed agronomic traits.
Correlation
The correlation coefficients of days to flowering and yield
components of the parental lines averaged over two
cropping seasons are presented in Table 5. Days to first
and 50% flowering had significantly positive correlations
with number of flowers plant-1 and 100-seed weight.
Grain yield was however, negatively correlated with days
to first and 50% flowering. A non significant inverse
relationship was recorded when days to 50% flowering
was correlated with number of peduncles plant-1, pods
-1 -1
plant and seeds pod . Significant positive relationships
were however, obtained when grain yield was correlated
with number of peduncles plant-1 (0.796**), number of
flowers plant-1 (0.774**), number of pods plant-1 (0.758**)
and pod length (0.728**).
Yield traits
Differences among the ten cowpea accessions in yield
traits assessed are presented in Table 6. The accessions
differed significantly in floral, pod and seed parameters
assessed. The number of peduncles plant-1 differed
significantly (P < 0.05) among the cowpea accessions
assessed. The accession Gag, for instance, produced the
highest number of peduncles plant-1 (56), while Akidi-
enu3 produced the least (27). Except for the accession
 5238 Afr. J. Agric. Res.

Table 6. Differences among 10 short day (SD) and day neutral (DN) cowpea accessions for pod and seed parameters in two cropping seasons.

PE/P FL/P PO/P PL S/PO 100-SW GY

Accessions
2006 2007 Mean 2006 2007 Mean 2006 2007 Mean 2006 2007 Mean 2006 2007 Mean 2006 2007 Mean 2006 2007 Mean
Bwa-Tal 46.3 47.7 47.0 91.3 96.3 93.8 63.0 64.0 63.5 19.7 18.7 19.1 16.3 16.0 16.1 18.7 19.7 19.2 1381.3 1421.3 1401.3
Bwa-Chip 30.7 36.0 33.3 85.7 88.3 87.0 48.3 52.7 50.5 18.3 16.3 17.3 14.0 16.0 15.0 17.0 17.2 17.1 1358.1 1496.3 1427.2
Gag 56.7 55.3 56.0 82.7 102.3 92.5 59.0 59.0 59.0 23.0 21.7 22.3 15.3 13.3 14.3 14.5 15.2 25.5 1616.9 1665.0 1640.9
Gazum 38.3 41.7 40.0 78.3 81.0 79.7 38.0 40.0 39.0 16.5 16.9 16.7 13.0 13.6 13.3 27.0 24.0 14.9 1301.9 1340.0 1320.9
Du’ut 32.3 33.0 32.7 73.0 73.6 73.3 38.0 39.0 38.5 16.8 18.8 17.8 13.7 14.0 13.8 17.8 16.5 17.2 1254.4 1302.3 1278.3
Jalbang 23.7 27.7 32.7 57.3 58.7 58.0 35.0 36.0 38.5 16.2 14.2 15.2 10.3 10.7 10.5 16.9 15.2 16.0 525 565.0 545.0
Akidi-ani 38.3 39.7 39.0 55.7 67.7 61.7 46.7 48.0 47.3 15.0 15.6 15.3 11.6 11.0 11.3 11.8 12.4 12.1 1314.4 1352.5 1333.4
Akidi-enu1 33.7 34.3 34.0 53.7 59.0 56.3 45.2 44.0 44.7 18.6 16.6 17.6 14.7 16.7 15.7 12.8 13.4 13.1 756.3 796.3 776.3
Akidi-enu2 40.3 39.7 40.0 62.0 66.3 64.2 47.3 45.3 46.3 17.7 18.0 17.8 12.3 12.3 12.3 13.2 13.2 13.2 914.4 952.5 933.5
Akidi-enu3 26.7 28.0 27.3 52.7 52.7 52.7 35.6 37.6 36.6 15.2 15.6 15.4 13.0 12.7 12.8 9.4 9.7 9.6 595.7 633.8 614.8
Mean 36.7 38.3 69.3 74.6 45.6 46.6 17.7 17.2 13.4 13.6 15.9 15.7 1071.8 1122.5
FLSD(.05)
Accession (A) 7.42 10.86 6.01 2.46 1.97 2.79 157.94
Year (Y) NS 4.86 NS NS NS NS
A x PS NS NS NS NS NS NS
PE/P = Peduncles/plant, FL/P = flowers/pod, Po/P = pods/plant, PL = pod length (cm), S/Po= seeds/pod, 100SW=100-seed weight (g), GY = grain yield (Kg/ha).

Jalbang, SD accessions produced more flowers
compared to DN types. The mean number of
flowers plant-1 ranged from 58 to 93 and 53 to 64
in SD and DN accessions, respectively. Similarly,
-1
pod yield plant ranged from 39 to 63 in SD
accessions to 36 to 47 in DN cowpea accessions.
The accession, Bwa-Tal, produced the highest
-1
number of pods plant which was similar to those
of Bwa-Chip and Gag; but statistically different
from the pod yields of other accessions.
Varietal differences in pod length and number of
seeds pod-1 were also significant (P < 0.05). Pod
length ranged from 15 to 22 cm in SD varieties
and 15 to 18 in DN accessions; while number of
seeds pod-1 ranged from 11 to 16 seeds in the ten
cowpea accessions evaluated. The accession,
Gag was distinct in pod length (22 cm), while
Bwa-Tal and Akidi-ani produced significantly
higher number of seeds pod-1 (16 seeds plant-1),
though statistically similar to those of Bwa-Chip
(15 seeds) and Gag (14 seeds). Short day
cowpea accessions recorded higher mean values
for 100-seed weight of between 15 to 26 g
compared to those of DN accessions (10 to 13 g).
The least 100-seed weight of 10 g was recorded
by Akidi-enu3, while Gag gave the highest 100-
seed yield of 26 g.
Significant differences also occurred among the
cowpea accessions evaluated for grain yield
(Table 6). Except the accession, Jalbang, all SD
accessions produced significantly higher grain
yield (> 1t ha-1), while DN types produced lower
grain yield (< 1t ha-1). The cowpea accession,
Akidi-ani however, produced high grain yield that
was statistically similar to those of some SD
accessions (Bwa-Tal and Bwa-Chip). The
accessions Gag was however, distinct as it
produced the highest amount of grain yield (1641
kg ha-1), while Jalbang recorded the lowest
(545.0 kg ha-1). Generally, cowpea accessions
that were superior in number of flowers plant-1,
pods plant-1, and seeds pod-1 were superior in
mean grain yield.
DISCUSSION
The number of days from sowing to flowering is of
great importance in cowpea, as it affects pod set
and crop yield. In this study, days to first flowering
in SD cowpea accession was prolonged significantly

(P < 0.05) when compared to those of DN accessions.
For instance, the number of days from sowing to first
flowering in Bwa-Tal averaged 61 days, while that of
Akidi-ani was 40 days. The 21 days difference between
these accessions is greater than the 11 days reported by
Ehlers and Hall (1997) for some cowpea genotypes
grown under inductive photothermal environments, with
-1
temperature of 24 to 30°C and photoperiod of 11 h d .
The wide gap in days to first flowering between the SD
and DN cowpea accessions can be linked to differences
in factors other than Mendelian inheritance. The
differences in days to flowering could be a reflection of
innate attributes that are associated with the different
photoperiodic groups. The range is equally not close to
that reported by Craufurd et al. (1996) for genotypes
grown under inductive photoperiods. The authors
reported a narrow genetic variation in terms of days to
flowering in cowpea.
The early flowering in DN accessions (< 45 days) and
the delayed flowering in SD accessions (> 45 days) are in
accord with an earlier photoperiodic grouping by Singh
(1993), that genotype whose days to first flowering is
greater than 45 are photoperiod sensitive while those that
flower in less than 45 days are photoperiod-insensitive or
day neutral. This result has confirmed that the days were
long enough to delay the flowering of SD cowpea
accessions of Plateau State origin. Similarly, the early
flowering in DN accessions of Nsukka origin confirmed
their non-sensitivity to day length.
The main reason for plant collection is to obtain natural
variability that can be useful for providing germplasm
pools for crop improvement. The PCA is perhaps the
most useful statistical tool for screening multivariate data
with significantly high correlations (Johnson, 1998).
Information obtained through principal component
analysis (PCA) may assist the plant breeders to indentify
a limited number of highly differentiated population for
use in hybridization and selection programs. From the
principal component analysis of the two cropping
seasons, the most effective characters for distinguishing
among the cowpea accessions included days to first
flowering, days to 50% flowering, number of peduncles
plant-1, number of flowers plant-1, number of pods plant-1
and grain yield. All these characters showed maximum
contribution towards total divergence among the cowpea
accessions. The variability of some cowpea cultivars
have been described based on the aforementioned traits
(Ubi et al., 2001; Ishiyaku et al., 2005; Omoigui et al.,
2006). Using the PCA some of these characters have
also been used extensively to characterize bambara
groundnut (Oyiga et al., 2010) and Cucurbita (Aruah et
al., 2010) accessions in Nigeria. The intra-population
variability evaluated by hierarchial cluster analysis
conducted on the quantitative traits grouped the
accessions into two clusters at both cropping seasons,
indicating sufficient variability to warrant selection.
However, the accession, Jalbang alienated itself from
Ijoyah 5239
the clusters at both 2006 and 2007 cropping seasons
which suggest that the accession is genetically
independent from the other cowpea accessions. The
cluster means shows that cluster I comprised of early
flowering cowpea accessions that recorded low yield of
all other quantitative traits assessed. Conversely, the
cowpea accessions in cluster II were essentially late
-
flowering but prolific in the production of peduncles plant
1 -1 -1 -1
, flowers plant , pods plant , pod length, seeds pod ,
100-seed weight and grain yield. These results indicated
that the reproductive traits assessed had significant
contributions towards diversity. The greater diversity in
the present materials is due to the yield characters which
will offer a good scope for improvement of the seed yield
through rational selection of the parental lines. This has
further confirmed that members of cluster I are DN
cowpea accessions that flower early while cluster II
comprised SD accessions that flowered late, but have
high yield of the reproductive traits assessed.
Correlation coefficient helps the breeder to select an
efficient traits. The significant positive correlation
between days to flowering with numbers of flowers plant-1
and 100-seed weight implied that the number of days
from sowing to first and 50% flowering increased with
increase in these yield traits. The vegetative phage of the
plant has been found useful in allowing for the
development of optimum canopy necessary for high yield
(Ishiyaku and Singh, 2003). The linear relationship
between days to flowering and yield traits is not out of
place; since increase in days to flowering allows for
proper development of the vegetative stage leading to
production of more number of peduncles plant-1, flowers
plant-1 and other yield traits.
However, the negative relationship between days to
first flowering and grain yield implies that with increase in
days to flowering grain yield decreases. This inverse
relationship is however, at variance with the report of an
earlier study on some floral traits and their implications on
pod and seed yield in bambara groundnut (V.
subterrenea (L.) Verde) conducted by Oyiga et al. (2010).
The authors reported significant positive correlations
between seed weight and number of pods plant-1 with
some floral traits.
The significantly positive relationship between grain
yield and number of peduncles plant-1, number of flowers
plant-1, number of pods plant-1 and pod length agrees
with an earlier study by Leleji (1981) who reported a
positive correlation of 0.88 for pods plant-1 and 0.66 for
seeds pod-1 with grain yield. The positive association
between grain yield and yield attributes is in accord with
an earlier study on character association in cowpea by
Uguru (1996). The author implicated pods plant-1 and
seeds pod-1 as the major yield determining traits.
SD cowpea accessions recorded significantly higher
grain yield (> 1 t ha-1) compared to DN accessions
5240 Afr. J. Agric. Res.
-1
(< 1 t ha ), except the accession Jalbang. The accession
Gag was distinct in grain yield as it produced over 1600
kg/ha in both 2006 and 2007 cropping seasons. Despite
its relatively low mean values of pod and seed
parameters, Akidi-ani however, had grain yield that was
statistically similar to those of some SD accessions (Bwa-
Tal and Bwa-Chip). Wallace et al. (2004) reported that
lack of photoperiod gene activity in DN accessions allows
inherent partitioning of photosynthate to continued growth
of the earliest potential buds, flowers, pods and seeds
(the organs that give rise to the yield). Alternatively, and
competitively, photoperiod gene activity in SD plants
cause the photosynthate to be partitioned predominantly
toward continued growth of new vegetative organ plus
later initiation of more reproduction (yield) organs.
Cowpea accessions with grain yields (above 1000
kg/ha), which fall within the range regarded by
Amujoyegbe and Obisesan (1997) to be significantly high
included Bwa-Tal, Bwa-Chip, Gag, Gazum and Akidi-ani.
The lowest amount of yield was recorded by Jalbang
-1
(545 kg ha ) and this yield fell within the mean grain
values (< 1 t ha-1) considered by IITA (1998) as poor yield
of most local varieties. Other accessions that had grain
yield that were statistically similar to that of Jalbang were
Akidi-enu1, Akidi-enu2 and Akidi-enu3.
The wide range in the data observed for most of the
yield traits and the significant mean squares obtained
have shown the presence of genetic variability for the
traits studied. This indicates that these traits can be
improved through breeding. It can be concluded that
considerable variability and genetic diversity exist in the
Nigerian local cowpea accessions for exploitation in
cowpea breeding programmes. Pure line selection
method could be adopted by plant breeders to isolate the
promising varieties from these local cowpea accessions
for cowpea growers. This will provide new research
latitude in cowpea breeding in the future. The selected
genotypes will serve as veritable materials for
hybridization to improve the poorly but agronomically
good exotic cowpea lines.
Conclusion
Some cowpea genotypes flower continuously, while
others only flower seasonally. If the genetic basis of this
continuous flowering is understood, it can be exploited in
the development of new cowpea varieties that can flower
and pod continually, thereby ensuring all year round
production of grains. The study confirmed the accessions
from Plateau State, Nigeria as short day (SD) plants and
those from Enugu State, Nigeria as day neutral (DN)
plants. The early flowering DN cowpea accessions were
poor yielding in contrast to the SD accessions that had
delayed flowering but better yielding potentials. The
production of hybrids between these two groups of
cowpea would make a mark in the current drive for
sustainable crop yield for the teaming population in the
sub Saharan African.
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