Genetic analysis of quantitative traits in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] using six parameter genetic model

Generation Mean Analysis was carried out using six basic generations in 3 different crosses of cowpea to determine suitable breeding methods. For most of the studied traits, additive, dominance, additive x additive, additive x dominance and dominance x dominance effects were significant. Additive effect significantly contributed for days to 1^st flowering and seed yield per plant. Dominance effect was significant for the incidence of cowpea mosaic virus in family 1, while for pod maturity in family 2. Additive x dominance type of interaction contributed significantly for days to 1^st flowering, days to pod maturity and seed yield per hectare. Duplicate type of epistasis was observed for days to 1^st flowering and incidence of cowpea mosaic virus in family 1, number of pods per plant and pod length in family 2 and 3. The findings suggested that pureline, pedigree and recurrent selection could be followed in cowpea improvement.