Evaluation of 41 Cowpea Lines Sown on Different Dates in Southern China

Cowpea is an important leguminous crop in arid and semi-arid tropical regions. However, it sensitive to the temperature photoperiod. In this study, 41 new lines of cowpea were evaluated sowing seasons spring (SpS), summer (SuS), autumn (AuS) at Wuming, Guangxi province, China. Nine agronomic yield-related traits investigated analyzed. The results showed that pod width (0.8 cm) was similar among seasons. For all other traits, values lowest SuS, except number branches per plant, which (2.5) AuS. Strong correlations detected for growth period, plant height, length, width, 100-seed weight (p < 0.01) across A principal component analysis revealed first three components could explain 72.47% total variations. On basis possible yield, habit, we identified nine suitable different Guangxi. study suggest these may be useful increasing production breeding varieties.