Early generation selection criteria for high yielding genotypes in two populations of cowpea

Selection differential, selection intensity, selection response and realized heritability were carried out for parents and F₂ generation, parents and F₃ and F₂ and F₃ generations separately for two crosses viz., Dapoli Safed x GC 10 and Manjarkheda local x G 1. Selection of advanced breeding lines based on biomass at harvest, seed yield per plant, vine length, test weight, number of pods per plant and days to 50 per cent flowering registered higher magnitude of selection differential, selection intensity, selection response and realized heritability in both generations and both the crosses, it emphasis the effectiveness of these traitsin early generation selection for grain yieldin cowpea.