Phenotypic variability of cowpea genotypes for immature seed harvesting

ABSTRACT Seed color, brightness and texture are important aspects for the consumption of immature beans. This study aimed to estimate phenotypic variability among thirty cowpea genotypes seed harvesting, in order guide breeding programs. The experiment was carried out a randomized blocks design, with three replications. evaluated traits were seeds yield, pods dry production, number pods, 100-immature weight, length, per pod, cooking time, harvesting period pod plant growth habit, opening threshing from cultivation value browning after threshing. Anova clustering methods applied: UPGMA using Jaccard coefficient similarity; modified Tocher method based on Gower algorithm; k-means. All analyses performed variable means experiments six environments. A statistically significant observed all quantitative traits. Discrepancies occurred accessions grouping clusters. accession BRS Acauã, one group, P508 PCCR3F6L15, other groups, showed good quality grain consistently grouped into different clusters recommended use as parents development new cultivars.