Variability studies in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) varieties grown in Isparta, Turkey

Abstract

Eleven varieties of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) selected from nine localities in Turkey were evaluated for variability in yield and yield component characters in 1996 and 1997 cropping seasons using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Significant differences were found among the varieties for agronomic characteristics such as seed yield, biological yield and crop cycle. Factor analysis based on principal components (PC) showed that two factors represented 99.13% of the total variation. PC <inf>1</inf> accounted for 98.69% of the total variance that was highly correlated with seed and pod size factors. PC<inf>2</inf> may be considered as crop cycle and yield/plant. The varieties clustered into two groups by factor and cluster analyses.