Genetic variability for iron, zinc, calcium contents and seed yield in selected F₄ and F₅ cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) progenies

Nutrient deficiency attributes to inadequate uptake of various micronutrient viz., iron, zinc and calcium leading to symptoms like short stature, hypogonadism, impaired immune function, skin disorders, anaemia. Identification of micronutrient rich genotypes in cowpea helps to fight against malnutrition. An experiment was conducted to study genetic variability parameters using two populations of cowpea developed via., crossing PL-2 × NBC-39 and PL-5 × EC402104. ANOVA indicated significant variance for all traits under study in both F₄ and F₅ generations suggesting existence of adequate amount of variability. The estimates of PCV and GCV were moderate for most of traits studied. Moderate to high narrow sense heritability was observed for seeds pod⁻¹, iron, zinc, and calcium content indicating that additive gene action was predominant in the expression of these traits. Correlation studies indicated that iron, zinc, and calcium content had significant negative correlation with seed yield plant⁻¹ hence lines with optimum amount of iron, zinc, calcium, and seed yield plant⁻¹ were selected. Ten such desirable superior lines from F₅ generation were selected from two crosses and forwarded for next generations.