DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2018.v06i11.007

Pages: 725-731

Knowledge on the nature of gene involved in the genetic expression of pod traits is necessary for efficient breeding and yield improvement in cowpea. The present study was undertaken at Dang (soudano-guinean zone of Cameroon) to evaluated genetic variability of three pod parameters viz., pod length, pod diameter and number of seeds per pod of 15 cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) diversity germplasm and investigate the genetic basis of these traits through a 6x6 half-diallel cross mating. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replicates. Analysis of results showed that, these genotypes presented a significant variability for these characters (p < 0.05). High significant differences were observed for mean squares of general combining (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) of these characters. Globally, the three traits studied were highly heritable (h2= 0.62-0.97), with the variance due to genetic interactions greater than environmental variance. Narrow sense heritability ranged from 0.52 to 0.88, confirming the presence of additive gene action. Pod length and pod diameter were controlled mainly by additive gene whereas dominant gene were predominantly involved in the genetic control of number of seeds per pod. These results suggested that, breeding for increased grain yield of cowpea can be quite successful through recurrent selection.