Stability analysis of yield and yield attributing traits in advanced breeding lines of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walp.]

Abstract

In the present investigation, 14 cowpea genotypes including four checks were evaluated for yield and yield attributing traits in six different locations. Pooled analysis of variance revealed that the mean sum of squares due to genotypes (G) and environments (E) were significant for all the characters studied which provided the sound evidence for the validity of the experiments. The genotype GC 1602 had desirable stability parameters for both days to 50% flowering and days to 80% maturity and identified as an early maturing genotype, the genotypes namely GC 1805, GC 1906, GC 1903 and GC 1802 were found to be high yielding and stable in all environments for seed yield and GC 1805 and GC 1906 for pod length and the number of pods per plant. The stable cowpea genotypes identified in the present study can be recommended for commercial cultivation in a wider range of environments.

Keywords

• cowpea
• genotypes
• environments
• stability.