Indirect selection for resistance to Alectra vogelii (benth) infestation in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
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Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology (IJEAB)
Abstract
Alectra vogelii (benth) is a parasitic weed which
causes significant yield reductions in cowpeas (Vigna
unguiculata Walp) in most of the sub-Saharan African
countries. The objective of this study was to establish the
effect of Alectra vogelii infestation on yield components of
cowpea and the prospects of utilizing these components for
indirect select to A. vogelii in resistance breeding. Seven
genotypes of cowpea were crossed in all possible
combinations without reciprocals and their 21 F2 progeny
including parents were evaluated for reaction to Alectra
vogelii infection at two locations, Ilonga and Hombolo. The
experiments were laid using a Randomized Complete Block
Design with three replications. Significant (P < 0.001)
genotypic responses to Alectra emergency and infestation
were found. A significance negative correlation was found
between the Alectra emergency and infestation to yield and
yield components (P< 0.01 and P< 0.001). However, both
yield components (Number of pods per plant and 100 seed
weight) tested exhibited a weak r2 value (< 0.25) implying
that these components can only be used to supplement and
not as a substitute to direct selection in breeding for
resistance to A. vogelii.
Description
Keywords
Alectra vogelii, correlation coefficient, resistance, selection, Vigna unguiculata