Estimation of heterosis in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) genotypes for dual purpose

A study was conducted to estimate the level of heterosis for green fodder yield, seed yield and its contributing traits for dual purpose in cowpea. Five lines and three testers were crossed in a line x tester mating design. A total of fifteen F-1 hybrids along with eight parents were evaluated for plant height (cm), leaf to stem ratio, days to fifty per cent flowering, days to maturity, number of pods per plant, seed yield per plant (g), green fodder yield per plant (g), dry matter content (%), and crude protein content (%). Analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in the mean sum of squares among the parents for all the characters except days to maturity indicating that there was sufficient variability among genotypes. The crosses UPC-622 x PL-3, MFC-09-12 x PGCP-12, showed significant negative heterosis for days to fifty per cent flowering, for seed yield per plant MFC-09-12 x PL-3 and EC-4216 x PL-1 crosses showed significant standard heterosis. The crosses MFC-08-14 x PL-3 and MFC-09-12 x PGCP-12 showed significant standard heterosis for green fodder yield per plant whereas for crude protein content MFC-09-12 x PL-3 and UPC-622 x PL-3 crosses showed significant standard heterosis. Among the cross combinations, MFC-09-12 x PGCP-12 and MFC-08-14 x PL-3 performed exceedingly well and recorded significantly higher standard heterosis for green fodder yield per plant, seed yield per plant and its contributing characters. These crosses could be utilized in breeding programmes for improving yield in cowpea.