Genotype and environmental interaction in cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata-L) for yield and disease resistance

Abstract

Twenty-six cowpea cultivars were tested for yellow mosaic virus resistance at NIAB Faisalabad. NCPM-1, Elite, IT-84-552, No.44, P-518, S.A. Dandy, IT-97k-350-4, IT-93K-452, IT-97K-1042-8 and IT-97K-497-2 showed resistant reaction to yellow mosaic virus disease. As the study was aimed to select disease resistant and high yielding cultivars. Five cultivars viz. NCPM-1, Elite. S.A. Dandy, IT-97K-497-2 and IT-97K-1042-8 were chosen and evaluated at five different ecological zones during the year 2003. At each location, the experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design keeping 7.2 m² plot size in three repeats. At maturity the seed yield was collected and subjected to analysis of variance following stability parameters, varieties, environment and varieties x environment showed significant differences. Significant and highest seed yield (880 kg/ha) was observed in NIAB cowpea mutant-1 followed by Elite (729 Kg/ha). The highest yielding genotypes i.e. NIAB cowpea Mutant-1 and Elite showed non-significant differences of regression coefficient from one. Moreover these genotypes also exhibited non-significant difference of standard deviation to regression from zero. Based on three parameters i.e. high mean seed yield, regression coefficient and standard deviation to regression, these genotypes showed excellent and trustworthy stable performance over different environment. Hopefully these genotypes will definitely be helpful for increasing one local production of cowpea crop.