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The present investigation was carried out at the experimental farm of Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Kafrelsheikh Governorate, Agriculture Research Center, Egypt, during 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 growing summer seasons. This study was conducted to evaluate 24 cowpea genotypes were selected from base balady population based on morphological traits, in the second season, 24 selected genotypes with commercial variety Giza18 were sown in a randomized complete block design with three replicates, and select the best twelve genotypes saved to next generation ,in the third season 2023,the best twelve lines with the commercial variety Giza18 were sown, the same design and select the best six genotypes and saved to next generation, in the fourth season 2024,six superior genotypes with the commercial variety Giza18 were sown the same design. The obtained results could be summarized as follows: At the second season, the mean squares of the 24 selected genotypes based on the higher values of fresh and dry forage yield, as well as some morphological, technological, and chemical traits, were found to be significant for all the studied traits.
In the third season , the highest significant values for all the studied traits were twelve lines; number 2, 4 , 5, 9 , 10, 11 ,12, 16, 17, 20,21 , and 22 compared to the commercial variety Giza18 , meaning that selection for these traits was effective in improving the studied traits in these materials. In contrast, high genotypic variability and genotypic variability were detected for total dry yield, stem diameter, and leaf stem ratio %, while moderate (pcv) and (gcv) were detected for plant height, germination %, Seedling length, and Seedling fresh weight (g). On the other hand, low values of (pcv) and (gcv) were obtained for total fresh yield, no. of branches /plant, crude protein, crude fiber, and Seedling dry weight (g). Moderate to high heritability estimates were noted for the studied traits, ranging from 58.45 for seedling fresh weight (g) to 94.10 for total fresh forage yield (kg). / Plot. In the fourth season, the highest significance for all the studied traits was lines; number 4, 9, 10, 16, 20, and 22 compared to the commercial variety Giza18. This study highlights the importance of selecting fresh and dry forage yield and yield components traits, germination and seedling length for fresh and dry forage yield and yield components traits, as well as germination and seedling length, in breeding programs to develop high-yielding cowpea varieties.
Fresh Forage, Dry Forage, Phenotypic Variability, Genotypic Variability
