Genetic enhancement for yield and nutritional quality in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]

Abstract

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is an important
source of nutritious food and fodder in the semi-arid
tropics and sub-tropics covering over 65 countries.
Systematic cowpea breeding programs started in a few
countries from 1960 onwards and became further
strengthened with the establishment of the International
Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in 1967 with a world
mandate to develop improved cowpea varieties for all
regions. Over 40 stress resilient high yielding varieties with
erect and semi-erect growth habit and 60 to 75 days maturity
have been developed and released in over 45 countries.
These varieties yield up to 2.5 t ha–1 grain and fodder with
25% to 30% protein in the grains and 15% to 18% protein in
the haulms and fit well as a niche crop in the existing cereal
based intensive cropping systems and contribute to soil
fertility and thereby enhance system’s productivity and
sustainability. With rapid adoption of the new improved
varieties and improved cropping systems, the world cowpea
production has increased from about one million ton in
1974 to over 7 million tons in 2014 – the largest increase
among all the pulses. The ongoing research on ‘60-day’
cowpeas as a niche crop in ‘wheat-rice’ system in Northern
India and in the rice fallows in central and southern India,
as well as in various niches in the kharif season, has shown
a good potential to produce over 10 million tons cowpeas
over and above the existing pulses production. This would
eliminate the need for importing pulses and bring down
the escalating prices. In view of the promising research
results and recent release of 5 short duration cowpea
varieties, it would be highly appropriate for the Government
of India to launch a special research and development
project to introduce short duration cowpea in relevant
cropping systems throughout India.