`Texas Pinkeye Purple Hull' Cowpea

Abstract

Released in 1990 as a replacement for Pinkeye Purple Hull, Pinkeye Purple Hull-BVR and Coronet, Vigna unguiculata cv. Texas Pinkeye Purple Hull (TPPH) was developed for the canning and freezing industry but is suitable for fresh market and home gardens. TPPH is derived from a cross of TX63-7 and US432. Following selection for superior architecture, pod location and high yields, single seed descent was performed for 4 cycles from F 4 to F 7. Plants are 15-20 cm taller than the standard pinkeye cultivars and have a high, determinate bush growth habit. Pods mature in 54-60 days, 10 days earlier than Pinkeye Purple Hull and Pinkeye Purple Hull-BVR. Pod colour is dark purple when mature and pods are borne at or above the foliage level. Fresh beans are green, slightly kidney-shaped with a pink eye. Dry seeds have a smooth to slightly wrinkled cream testa with a dark maroon eye. TPPH seeds are smaller than those of Pinkeye Purple Hull with a 100-seed weight of 18 g. Yields of TPPH were rated as outstanding in several Texas trials and the Regional Southernpea Cooperative Trials and is equal to or higher than yields of Pinkeye Purple Hull and Pinkeye Purple Hull-BVR. The erect growth habit of TPPH offers greater flexibility in row spacing and planting configurations than the cultivars currently in use and allows mechanical harvesting at the fresh green stages using a Pixall harvester. TPPH is also resistant to lodging and pod shattering. Immunity to a Georgian isolate, and tolerance of Californian and Indian isolates, of blackeye cowpea mosaic potyvirus is shown. TPPH was also immune to 2 USA isolates of cowpea (aphid-borne) mosaic virus [blackeye cowpea mosaic potyvirus]. A high level of resistance to Meloidogyne incognita is shown. Freezing and canning processing evaluations revealed that TPPH is outstanding in pea and liquor colour, wholeness, texture, flavour and general appearance.