The objective of this study was to determine the number of measurements (replicates) necessary to predict the performance of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes. Twenty genotypes of cowpea to growth habit erect and twenty semi-prostrate were carried out in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, in six and four trials, respectively. It was conducted ten trials in randomized complete blocks design with four replicates. The character length of pod, weight of pod, weight of grains per pod, number of seeds per pod, weight of hundred grains and grain yield were measured. Assumptions of the mathematical model were examined, analysis of variance was performed, the repeatability coefficient was estimated and the number of replicates was calculated. Trials with four replicates identify superior cowpea genotypes in relation to length of pod, weight of pod, weight of grains per pod, number of seeds per pod, weight of hundred grains and grain yield characters, with, respectively, 84.57, 75.62, 73.14, 75.25, 81.53 and 79.19% accuracy of the true prognostic value.
Vigna unguiculata L. ; repeatability; experimental planning
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