Combining Ability of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) Genotypes for Resistance to Cowpea Bacterial Blight in Uganda

The low productivity of cowpea is partly attributed to a number constraints including diseases such as bacterial blight (CoBB). Cowpea has the capacity cause up 92% yield loss under severe infections. objective this study was determine combining ability for resistance CoBB among genotypes in Uganda. Nine selected parents were crossed produce 63 progenies. F1 progenies evaluated and data gathered included days 50% flowering, disease scores grain yield. mean squares rAUDPC due GCA SCA effects significant (P≤0.001) non-significant respectively. broad sense coefficient genetic determination (BCGD) narrow (NCGD) 44.3% 29.1% respectively rAUDPC. Parents WC 26 (-0.023) NE 31 (-0.035) had highly negative therefore good general combiners trait. Crosses SECOW 3B x ACC X 1T 32 effect with values -0.073 -0.06, while 40 (-0.07) (-0.06) reciprocal This revealed that inheritance controlled predominantly by additive gene effects. identified could be utilized sources 1T, 32, best specific put further evaluation potential varieties.