Effect of Crossability in Improving Some Selected Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata [L.,] Walp) Varieties

Abstract

The studies on the effect of crossability in improving some selected cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] walp) varieties(IT87D941 - I, IT97K 499 - 35 and Dankurmi) was carried out in the screen, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University. Seeds of three cowpea varieties were sown in a Completely Randomized Design. Pollen viability studies and cytological study were conducted. The result of the study showed that fertile hybrids were produced which were vigorous and intermediate between the parent varieties with respect to many morphological characteristics. Meiotic analysis of parents and F1 hybrids revealed normal meiosis with 11 bivalents
and normal viable pollen were found in high percentage ranging from 90% to 98% in both parents and F1 hybrids. It is concluded that fertile hybrids were produced through cross combinations. Hybridization is quantitatively an effective method to improve cowpea genotypes using quantitative traits. This study recommended that hybridization using cowpea varieties with high receptivity for pollen due to high fertility and compatibility could improve local varieties with low pollen contents which will in turn improve the quality and quantity of cowpea genotypes (varieties).