Heterosis in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp )

Abstract

Cowpea is an important legume crop of the tropics area, having various uses like vegetable, grains, dry haulms and as fodder. It is an expensive source of vegetable protein and a handy crop well adapted to relatively dry environment. The exploitation of hybrid vigour in any crop depends on substantial heterosis for yield, coupled with an economical method of producing hybrid seeds. The heterosis reveals, type of gene action involved and therefore, it help in the selection of suitable breeding methodology and parameters which are to be employed for crop improvement. Very little work has been done in studying characters in relation to green pod yield in cowpea, which would be helpful in the development of cultivars for long, tender and green poded cowpea