Summary
Fifteen cultivars differing in plant type and maturity were evaluated for their reproductive efficiency and yield at the ICRISAT Sahelian Center, in Niger in 1988, 1989 and 1990. Flowers and pods were used to determine the reproductive efficiency and yield differences were assessed by using crop growth rate and partitioning. Significant differences among cultivars were observed for their ability to flower and set pods under high temperature conditions. The pattern of flowering and pod set showed that flowers formed in the first 10 days after initial flowering had the highest percentage pod set. Potential pod set ranged from 5 to 81%. TN88-63, the most widely adapted cultivar in the Sahel averaged 59% pod set followed by A73-2-1 with 56%. There was considerable variation among cultivars in the duration of the reproductive period, crop growth rate and partitioning. Crop growth rate was largely responsible for differences in yield among cultivars.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Imirie, B.C. & K.L., Butler, 1983. Joint contribution of individual plant attributes to seed yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) in small plots). Field Crops Research 6: 161–170.
Kahn, B.A. & P.J., Stoffella, 1985. Yield components of cowpeas grown in two environments. Crop Sciences 25: 179–182.
Nielsen, C.R. & A.E., Hall, 1985. Response of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) in the field at high night temperatures during flowering. II. Plant responses. Field Crops Research 10: 181–196.
Patel, N. & A.E., Hall, 1990. Genotypic variation and classification of cowpea for reproductive responses to high temperature under long photoperiod. Crop Science 30: 614–621.
Sivakumar, M.V.K. 1990. Exploiting rainy season potential from the onset of rains in the Sahelian zone of W. Africa. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 51: 321–332.
Turk, K.J., A.E., Hall & C.W., Asbell, 1980. Drought adaptation of cowpea. 1. Influence of drought on seed yield. Agronomy Journal, 72: 431–420.
Warrag, M.O.A. & A.E., Hall, 1983. Reproductive response of cowpea to heat stress. Genotypic differences in tolerance to heat at flowering. Crop Science 23: 1088–1092.
Warrag, M.O.A. & A.E., Hall, 1984b. Reproductive response of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) to heat stress. II. Responses to night air temperatures. Field Crops Research, 8: 17–33.
Williams, J.H. & N.P., Saxena, 1991. The use of non-destructive measurements and physiological models of yield determination to investigate factors determining differences in seed yield between genotypes of ‘desi’ chickpeas (Cicer arietum). Annals of Applied Biology 119: 105–112.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ntare, B.R. Variation in reproductive efficiency and yield of cowpea under high temperature conditions in a Sahelian environment. Euphytica 59, 27–32 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00025358
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00025358