Variation in Cowpea Following Hybridization and Mutagenesis

A study of magnitude of variation released, in respect of three quantitative traits, following hybridization alone and in combination with mutagenesis in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) revealed that the cumulative effect of hybridization and mutagenesis varies with the nature of the quantitative trait Studied. While for number of pods a cumulative effect was evident, such effect was not found for traits like seeds per pod and seed yield. The variance values in advancing generations of both hybridization alone (F₂ to F₄) and hybridization combined with mutagenesis (F₂M₁ to F₄M₃) showed a significant increasing trend in respect of the traits viz. number of pods per plant and seed weight per plant, while such trend was observed only following hybridization in case of number of seeds per pod. In general, the mean values in mutagen treated populations were less as compared to untreated populations. In successive generations, however, the mean values in mutagen treated populations showed a tendency to gradually increase and approached untreated control mean values.