Heterosis for yield and it’s components in fodder cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)

Abstract

A study was conducted to estimate the level of heterosis for yield and it’s contributing traits in fodder cowpea. Three lines and twelve testers were crossed in a line × tester mating design. A total of thirty six F1 hybrids along with 15 parents were evaluated for days to 50 % flowering, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf : stem ratio, green fodder yield, dry fodder yield, crude protein content, crude fibre content and crude fat content. Among the 36 cross combinations, the hybrids CO (FC) 8 x FD 2288, TNFC 0924 x FD 2307, CO 5 x FD 2288, TNFC 0924 x CL 88 and TNFC 0924 x UPC 9103 performed exceedingly well and recorded significantly higher standard heterosis for fodder yield and it’s contributing characters. These promising crosses could be utilized in breeding programmes for improving earliness, fodder yield and quality in fodder cowpea.

Keywords

• fodder cowpea
• line × tester
• heterosis
• standard heterosis