Diallel analysis of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) genotypes under water deficit stress

Combining ability is referred to as the hybridization value of the parental genotypes involved in the crossing to develop hybrids. The best parents are selected through combining ability methods and subsequently used to produce high yielding and resistant hybrids. Thus, the objectives of this study were to (i) understand the nature and action of genes controlling water deficit tolerance, and (ii) identify superior genotypes from the genetic breadth provided by hybridization in cowpea. Twenty-four genotypes were subjected to normal irrigation and water deficit condition to examine combining ability, genotypic and phenotypic correlations for traits directly related to water deficit (proline and chlorophylls), grain yield and yield components. The results showed the presence of the action of additive and non-additive genes under both water regime conditions. However, there was the predominance of the action of additive genes for most of the traits studied under both conditions. The parents KVX61-1, IT06K242-3, IT07K-211-1-8, Kpodjiguegue, IT99K-573-1-1, Tawa and IT97K-206-1-1 were observed to be good general combiners for proline content, chlorophyll content and traits associated with yield, while KVX61-1 x KVX396-18, IT06K242-3 x KVX396-18, IT07K-211-1-1 x KVX396-18, Kpodjiguegue x KVX396-18, KVX61 -1 x IT97K-206-1-1, IT06K242-3 x IT97K-206-1-1, IT07K-211-1-1 x IT97K-206-1-1 and Kpodjiguegue x IT97K-206-1-1 were proven to be the best specific combiners for traits directly related to water deficit tolerance and yield. It should be noted that number of days to pod maturity, pod length, number of pods per plant and weight of hundred seeds were highly heritable traits in this study.

Automated summary

This study investigated the combining ability and genetic correlations for water deficit tolerance traits in cowpea. The results showed the presence of additive and non-additive gene action, with additive genes playing a predominant role. Several genotypes were identified as good general combiners for traits related to yield and water deficit tolerance. The study also identified specific combiners for water deficit tolerance traits. The heritability of traits such as days to pod maturity, pod length, number of pods per plant, and weight of hundred seeds was found to be high.