Character Correlations in Cowpea under different Environments

Abstract

Interrelationships between yield and its components were studied in 17 promising cultivars of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) grown in four environments. The seed yield was found to be significantly and positively correlated with number of pods/plant, pod length, number of seeds / pod and seed weight in all the four environments. The correlations computed from pooled data indicated the importance of these characters. Path coefficient analysis of the genotypic correlations from pooled data showed that number of seeds / pod exhibited the highest direct effect followed by seed weight and number of pods/plant. The indirect effects of remaining characters through number of seeds / pod were also considerably high. It was concluded that more emphasis should be given to number of seeds / pod, seed weight and number of pods/plant in selection programmes for yield improvement in cowpea.