Screening for identification of drought tolerant varieties in selected cowpea genotypes (Vigna unguiculata [L] walp

Abstract

Cowpea are becoming increasingly vital for the crop-livestock farming system in Arid and Semi-Arid regions of Nigeria, as these crops cover ground, rapidly checks erosion, contribute to soil fertility and provide nutritious food and fodder to human beings and livestock. In Sub-Saharan Africa, Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is an important leguminous grain which is broadly cultivated for food
and fodder. Cowpea productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa is considerably low due to wide range of biotic and abiotic factors, as well as socioeconomic constraints. Drought has become an ever increasing stress that reduces cowpea yield in North eastern part of Nigeria. The experiment on screening for identification of drought tolerant varieties in selected cowpea genotypes was carried out at Department of Plant Biology Screen House Kano under safe and controlled environment using wooden box technique. Twenty (20) cowpea varieties were screened for drought tolerance using their physiological responses to induce water stress. The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Complete Design. Data were collected on Percentage germination, plant height, leaf chlorophyll content, Number of leaves, Leaf area, wilting and regeneration potential and were subjected to analysis of variance for mean comparison. The results of analysis of variance revealed that the parameters measured were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected for all varieties at different levels but some have shown tolerance at some level. The findings revealed that out of the twenty (20) cowpea varieties screened three (3) (DANILA, TVU12349, and IT90K-452-1) were found to be tolerant, with 0% wilting, two (2) (IT08K150-12, ALOKA (local) were moderately tolerant with high regeneration capacity above 50% and the remaining fifteen (15) were found to be susceptible to drought stress with less than 50% regeneration capacity.