The objective of this work was to investigate the genetic control of peduncle length in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.). A short peduncle cowpea line (TVx-5058-09C) was crossed with a long peduncle line (TE 96-282-22G). The parents and the F1, F2, RC1 (P1xF1), and RC2 (P2xF1) generations were evaluated in randomized block design with four replications. Genotypic, phenotypic, environmental, additive, and dominance variances for peduncle length were determined. Narrow and broad sense heritability, the degree of dominance, and the minimum number of genes determining peduncle length were estimated. The additive-dominant model was adequate to explain the observed variation. The additive gene effect was the most important in controlling peduncle length, which appeared to be controlled by five genes.
Vigna unguiculata; plant architecture; mechanical harvesting; genetic inheritance; genetic parameters
