ABSTRACT
Knowledge of genetic variability is of fundamental importance in the identification of superior genotypes when starting a breeding program for crops in general. The aim was to evaluate genetic variability in 38 genotypes of early-cycle, erect cowpea using RAPD and ISSR markers. The material came from the Germplasm Bank of the Federal University of Ceará and the cowpea breeding program of Embrapa Meio Norte. The DNA extractions were carried out following the Doyle and Doyle protocol. Ten RAPD primers generated 71 polymorphic bands (88.75%) with 7.1 markers per primer, whereas nine ISSR primers produced 47 polymorphic bands (75.81%) with 5.22 markers per primer. With cluster analysis, the EC-748 genotype was seen to be distinct from the others, and the AU 94-MOB-816 and UCR 95-701 genotypes showed the highest degree of similarity among those under evaluation. The RAPD and ISSR markers were efficient in detecting polymorphism between genotypes of early-cycle, erect cowpea.
Key words:
Vigna unguiculata
; Genetic divergence; ISSR primers
