Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2016 Mar 10:7:262.
doi: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00262. eCollection 2016.

Selection of Novel Cowpea Genotypes Derived through Gamma Irradiation

Lydia N Horn  1 , Habteab M Ghebrehiwot  2 , Hussein A Shimelis  2
Affiliations

Selection of Novel Cowpea Genotypes Derived through Gamma Irradiation

Lydia N Horn et al. Front Plant Sci. .

Abstract

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) yields are considerably low in Namibia due to lack of improved varieties and biotic and abiotic stresses, notably, recurrent drought. Thus, genetic improvement in cowpea aims to develop cultivars with improved grain yield and tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress factors. The objective of this study was to identify agronomically desirable cowpea genotypes after mutagenesis using gamma irradiation. Seeds of three traditional cowpea varieties widely grown in Namibia including Nakare (IT81D-985), Shindimba (IT89KD-245-1), and Bira (IT87D-453-2) were gamma irradiated with varied doses and desirable mutants were selected from M2 through M6 generations. Substantial genetic variability was detected among cowpea genotypes after mutagenesis across generations including in flowering ability, maturity, flower and seed colors and grain yields. Ten phenotypically and agronomically stable novel mutants were isolated at the M6 each from the genetic background of the above three varieties. The selected promising mutants' lines are recommended for adaptability and stability tests across representative agro-ecologies for large-scale production or breeding in Namibia or similar environments. The novel cowpea genotypes selected through the study are valuable genetic resources for genetic enhancement and breeding.

Keywords: cowpea; gamma radiation; legume improvement; mutants; mutation breeding.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Illustration of the selection methods during 2009–2014.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Some common abnormalities at M3 observed at Bagani Research Station. (A) spinach-like leaves, (B) Short-pods, (C) broad-dark leaves, (D) chlorophyll mutant, -single stem (E,F) observed at Omahenene research Station.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Variation in flower color (A) white flower color, (B) purple flower and field plant stands of M5 Nakare mutants observed at Omahenene Research Station in Namibia.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Different M3 seed colors (A–F) observed among all mutants at all locations.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Variation among Shindimba mutant lines. (A) coiled pods, (B) semi-coiled pods observed at Mannheim during the M2 generation, (C) white flower with semi-coiled pods, and (D) Purple flowers observed at Omahenene during the M5 generation.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Common insect pests (A) Spiny brown bugs Clavigralla sp., (B) Coreid bug Anoplocnemis curvipes, (C) Aphids Aphis craccivora Koch and Blister (D) Beetle Mylabris phalerata observed among the M5 mutants at Bagani, and Omahenene Research Stations concurrently.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Adekola O., Oluleye F. (2007). Induction of genetic variation in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) by gamma irradiation. Asian J. Plant Sci. 6 869–873. 10.3923/ajps.2007.869.873 - DOI
    1. Bressani R. (1985). “Nutritive value of cowpea,” in Cowpea: Research, Production and Utilization, eds Singh S. R., Rachie K. O. (New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons; ).
    1. Ceccarelli S., Grando S. (2007). Decentralized-participatory plant breeding: an example of demand driven research. Euphytica 155 349–360. 10.1007/s10681-006-9336-8 - DOI
    1. De Ronde J. A., Spreeth M. H. (2007). Development and evaluation of drought resistant mutant germ-plasm of Vigna unguiculata. Water SA 33 381–386.
    1. Dhanavel D., Pavadai P., Mullainathan L., Mohana D., Raju G., Girija M. (2008). Effectiveness and efficiency of chemical mutagens in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp). Afr. J. Biotechnol. 7 4116–4117.

LinkOut - more resources