Summary
A collection of cowpea (376 accessions) together with two lesser collections of asparagus bean (cv-gr sesquipedalis, 22 accessions) and catjang bean (cv-gr biflora, 35 accessions) from 19 countries of origin, were characterized and evaluated for studying their genetic variability and diversification in relation to geographical provenances; this aim was reached using both techniques of univariate and multivariate analysis (hierarchical analysis of variance, discriminant analysis of canonical variables and cluster analysis). The results show clearly: a) the grouping of the origins in three main clusters; b) that the cowpea from the USA is more similar to the Mediterranean cowpea than to the African one; c) cowpea from centre of origin presented a shorter and broader pod, almost the same number of locules and a lower seed weight in comparison with other provenances; d) on the average the cowpea from south-central Africa was the least variable, while the Mediterranean one recorded the most variable indicating a greater variability in this region of cultivation; e) a high positive correlation (r = 0.9) between flowering time and ripening time in all cv-grs, and that peduncle length is never correlated with other traits; f) a low mutual relation between genetic and geographical difference; g) cv-grs were significantly different from one another in individual regions for almost all the descriptors.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Burkhill, I. H., 1953. Habits of man and the origins of the cultivated plants of the old world. Proceedings of the Linnean Society, London 164: 12–42.
Frankel, O. H. & A. H. D. Brown, 1984. Plant genetic resources today: a critical appraisal. In: J. H. W. Williams & J. T. Williams (Eds). Crop genetic resources: conservation & evaluation. Holden, London: 252–254.
Frankel, O. H. & M. E. Soul& 1981. Conservation and evolution. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
IBPGR (International Board for Plant Genetic Resources), 1983. Descriptors for cowpea. IBPGR Secretariat, Rome.
Kohli, K. S., C. B. Singh, K. L. Amar Singh & M. L. Magoon, 1971. Variability of quantitative characters in a world collection of cowpea; inter-regional comparisons. Genet. Agr. 25: 231–242.
Kumar, P., R. Prakash & M. F. Haque, 1976. Interrelationship between yield components in cowpea (Vigna sinensis L.). Proc. Bihar. Acad. Agric. Sc., 24: 13–18.
Laghetti, G., S. Padulosi, N. Q. Ng & P. Perrino, 1988. Raccolta di germoplasma di specie selvatiche e coltivate di Vigna in Africa meridionale. XXXII Convegno S.I.G.A., Capri, 26–28 ottobre 1988. Genet. Agr. XLII (4): 460.
Lush, W. M., 1978. Aspects of the evolution of cowpas (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.). Ph.D. Thesis, Australian National University.
Marechal, R., J. M. Mascherpa & F. Stainier, 1981. Taxonometric study of the Phaseolus-Vigna complex and related genera. Advances in Legume Systematics, ed. R. M. Polhill & P. H. Raven, 329–335.
Mehndiratta, P. D. & K. B. Singh, 1971. Genetic diversity in respect of grain yield and its components in cowpea germplasm from the Punjab. Indian J. Genet. and Pl. Breed. 31: 388–392.
Ng, N. Q. & R. Marechal, 1985. Cowpea taxonomy, origin and germplasm. In: S. R. Singh & K. O. Rachie (Eds) Cowpea Research, Production and Utilization. 11–21.
Obisesan, I. O., 1985. Associations among grain yield components in cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata L. Walp.). Genet. Agr. 39: 377–386.
Padulosi, S., S. Cifarelli, L. Monti & P. Perrino, 1987. Cowpea germplasm in southern Italy. FAO/IBPGR Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter. 71: 37.
Padulosi, S., G. Laghetti, N. Q. Ng & P. Perrino, 1989. Collecting in Swaziland and Zimbabwe. FAO/IBPGR Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter, 78/79: 38.
Padulosi, S. & G. Laghetti, 1989. Collecting germplasm in Lesotho. FAO/IBPGR Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter 78/79: 37.
Perrino, P., K. Hammer, G. Laghetti & G. Olita, 1988a. Collecting in southern and central Italy. FAO/IBPGR Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter, 75/76: 37–38.
Perrino, P., G. Laghetti & K. Hammer, 1988b. Collection of plant genetic resources in Italy, 1987. Kulturpflanze 36: 377–390.
Pimentel, R. A., 1979. Morphometrics. The multivariate analysis of biological data. Kendall/Unt Publ. Co., Dubuque, IA.
Purseglove, J. W., 1976. Origins of African Plant Domestication. The Hague, Mounton Publishers, 291–309.
Romesmurg, H. C., 1984. Cluster analysis for researchers. Lifetime Learning Publ., Belmont, CA.
SAS Institute Inc., 1987. SAS/STAT™ Guide for Personal Computers, Version 6 Edition. Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc.: 173–188.
Seal, H., 1964. Multivariate statistical analysis for biologists. Methuen and Co., London.
Sharan Angadi, P., A. Subramanian & R. S. Kulkarni, 1979. Multivariate analysis in cowpea. Genet. Agr. 33: 121–132.
Steele, W. M., 1976. Cowpeas Vigna unguiculata. In: N.W. Simmonds (Ed.), Evolution of Crop Plants, London, UK, Longmans, 183–185.
Ward, J. H., 1963. Hierarchical grouping to optimize an objective function. J. Am. Stat. Assoc., 58: 236–244.
Wight, W. F., 1907. The history of the cowpea and its introduction into America. USDA, Bureau of Plant Industries, Bulletin 102: 43–59.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Perrino, P., Laghetti, G., Spagnoletti Zeuli, P.L. et al. Diversification of cowpea in the Mediterranean and other centres of cultivation. Genet Resour Crop Evol 40, 121–132 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00051116
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00051116