The objective of this work was to evaluate the variability of cowpea genotypes and to select those with potential for fresh pod and fresh-shelled cowpea market. In 2012, 16 genotypes were evaluated in two experiments (rainfed and irrigated), which were conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The following traits were evaluated: number of days for flowering start, fresh pod length, number of seed per fresh pod, weight of hundred fresh grains, fresh pod yield, fresh grain yield, and fresh grain index. Most of the traits showed differences according to the growth environment, but the response of genotypes to environmental variations was similar. Genotypes under irrigation conditions showed fresh pod and seed yield similar to the ones of the checks. The Azulão-MS cultivar under rainfed conditions showed a high potential for fresh pod yield, however, it had a low relationship fresh-shelled seed/fresh pod. The BRS Tumucumaque cultivar has potential for fresh seed yield under rainfed conditions, while the MNC00-595F-27 line is more productive under irrigation.
Vigna unguiculata ; immature cowpea; irrigation; rainfed
