Generation mean analysis for dual purpose traits in cowpea [vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]

A study was performed with three parental lines of cowpea and their F1, F2 and backcross generations to conduct generation mean analysis. Presence of high magnitude of additive x additive gene effects for green fodder yield in cross GC89 x C88 and cross GC89 x CL400, suggests that pedigree method could be the best breeding procedure for development of dual purpose cultivars. Based on the results of the study, it is suggested that in the presence of relatively large magnitude of non-allelic interactions for characters viz. vine length and green fodder yield per plant in cross GC89 x C88 and number of leaves in cross GC89 x CL400, selection has to be practiced within as well as between families by evaluating large number of segregating generations.