Heterosis studies in cowpea [Vigna Unguiculata (L.) Walp]

Abstract

Twenty-eight cowpea crosses derived from crossing in a diallel mating design along with their eight parents were evaluated for 10 yield and yield component characters to estimate heterosis. Heterosis was observed for all the characters studied. Four crosses, GC-0011 × GC-9710, CAZC-21 × DCP-2, GC-9710 × DCP-2 and GC-108 × DCP-2 recorded significant positive heterosis over mid and better-parents for seed yield per plant. It is primarily due to complementary combination of component traits viz., branches per plant, seeds per pod and 100 seed weight. Positive heterosis over better parent was recorded for protein content in the cross GC-9710 × CAZC-21. These heterotic cross combinations could be exploited to get superior segregants.