Phenotypic diversity and evaluation of fresh pods of cowpea landraces from Southern Europe.
BACKGROUND
Cowpea fresh pods are consumed as green vegetables in many countries in Southern Europe. Among cowpea cultivated material, a relatively large number of landraces can be found, maintaining species genetic diversity. To assess the value of these landraces in breeding programs, the characterization and estimation of diversity levels is therefore required. In the present study, an estimation of the diversity and evaluation of cowpea landraces originating from Portugal, Spain and Greece, in terms of their fresh pod traits, was performed, aiming to assist with the problem of low cowpea production in Southern Europe.


RESULTS
A notable mean total phenotypic diversity (HT= 0.57) was observed in the whole collection. The Spanish cv. - gr. unguiculata collection exhibited the highest value of total phenotypic diversity (0.56). Landraces did not differ significantly from each other regarding the three countries of origin. Landraces such as Cp4906, Vg60 and BGE038478 presenting higher values of some traits studied could contribute to the breeding of new cowpea varieties for fresh pod production. Positive correlations were observed, indicating the feasibility of breeding for preferable traits regarding fresh pod consumption.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study has revealed a wide diversity among and within cowpea landraces that could enhance fresh pod production in South European countries. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Efstathia
E
Lazaridi
Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Georgia
G
Ntatsi
Department of Plant Production, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Spain.
Juan A
JA
Fernández
Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Ioannis
I
Karapanos
Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.|Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
Valdemar
V
Carnide
Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Dimitrios
D
Savvas
Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Penelope J
PJ
Bebeli
D001947:Breeding; D005060:Europe; D014644:Genetic Variation; D010641:Phenotype; D012639:Seeds / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D000070658:Vigna / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development
Mediterranean Basin; Vigna unguiculata; breeding; characterization; vegetable