Comparison of Some Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

In this study, six cowpea genotypes from different locations in Turkey (Dalbah e, Doganca, Duragan, Igdir, Kirazlik 1 and Kirazlik 2) and two registered cultivars (Akkiz-86 and Karag z-86) as control were compared for their seed yield and yield related characters during 2002 and 2003 years. In addition, correlation and path coefficients between seed yield per plant and yield related characters were determined. The highest seed yields per hectare were obtained from Kirazlik 2 (1120.9 kg ha-1), Doganca (1093.1 kg ha-1), Duragan (1078.6 kg ha-1), Kirazlik 1 (1066.6 kg ha-1), Dalbah e (993.6 kg ha-1) and Igdir (922.1 kg ha-1). Seed yields of Akkiz-86 and Karag z-86 were highly significantly lower than the other genotypes. Karag z-86 was the superior for seed yield per plant (10.70 g plant-1). This followed by Doganca (8.27 g plant-1) and the rest of the genotypes were not statistically different from each other for seed yield per plant. Pod length and 100 seed weight showed a positive and highly significant correlation with seed yield per plant. Path analysis results revealed that pod length had the highest direct positive effect on seed yield per plant, followed by 100 seed weight and pods number per plant. On the other hand, seed yield per plant was directly and negatively affected by first pod height and branches number per plant.