Genetic enhancement for yield and nutritional quality in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.]

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is an important source of nutritious food and fodder in the semi-arid tropics and sub -tropics covering over 65 countries. Systematic cowpea breeding programs started in a few countries from 1960 onwards and became further strengthened with the establishment of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in 1967 with a world mandate to develop improved cowpea varieties for all regions. Over 40 stress resilient high yielding varieties with erect and semi-erect growth habit and 60 to 75 days maturity have been developed and released in over 45 countries. These varieties yield up to 2.5 t ha(-1) grain and fodder with 25% to 30% protein in the grains and 15% to 18% protein in the haulms and fit well as a niche crop in the existing cereal based intensive cropping systems and contribute to soil fertility and thereby enhance system's productivity and sustainability. With rapid adoption of the new improved varieties and improved cropping systems, the world cowpea production has increased from about one million ton in 1974 to over 7 million tons in 2014 the largest increase among all the pulses. The ongoing research on '60-day' cowpeas as a niche crop in 'wheat-rice' system in Northern India and in the rice fallows in central and southern India, as well as in various niches in the kharif season, has shown a good potential to produce over 10 million tons cowpeas over and above the existing pulses production. This would eliminate the need for importing pulses and bring down the escalating prices. In view of the promising research results and recent release of 5 short duration cowpea varieties, it would be highly appropriate for the Government of India to launch a special research and development project to introduce short duration cowpea in relevant cropping systems throughout India.