Genetic analysis of seed yield and some traits in cowpea using diallel analysis

Cowpea is an essential economic crop in underdeveloped and developing countries mainly grown by small farmers. In terms of seed yield and some agricultural characteristics, this study was carried out to determine the genetic structures and the general and specific adaptability of the genotypes. The trial, which included F1 hybrids and parents, was established under Konya ecological conditions with 3 replications in 2020 in the “Random Blocks Trial” design. Based on the results of the preliminary analysis of variance, it was determined that there was sufficient variation in the hybrid populations formed in terms of all traits examined. Nonadditive and dominant genes were found to be important in all traits examined. In the study, general adaptability was found to be important for the other traits examined, except the seed number per pod, seed number per plant, seed yield per plant, and protein yield per plant, and the effects of special adaptability were significant for all traits examined. Considering their general combining abilities, it was found that Ülkem, Sırma, and Pekşen cultivars should be used as rootstocks in breeding programs aimed at increasing yield and Pekşen and Ülkem cultivars in breeding programs to increase protein levels. When the specific combining abilities, heterosis and heterobeltiosis values are evaluated together, the hybrid combinations “Pekşen × Sırma”, “Ülkem × Pekşen” and “Karagöz × Sırma” with the best performance in terms of, seed yield per plant and “Pekşen × Amazon”, “Sırma × Pekşen”, “Sırma × Karagöz” and “Ülkem × Pekşen” with the most outstanding give better performance in terms of protein ratio were found to be promising.