Introduction of High Yielding and Resource Use Efficient Cowpea Varieties in South Africa.

Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp, is an important grain legume in many tropical and subtropical countries where it is used as a source of high protein food and animal fodder, as well as a biological nitrogen fixer in the soil. Cowpea is water and nutrient efficient and earlier maturing lines are more efficient than traditional cultivars. In South Africa, cowpea production is limited due to the unavailability of improved varieties. Therefore, a project was initiated to introduce, evaluate and select improved cowpea varieties well adapted in South Africa. A total of 97 improved varieties from IITA, Nigeria and Texas A&M University along with a few local varieties as checks were evaluated in 2012-13 crop season at Ukulima Farm in Limpopo Province of South Africa. The best 40 varieties out of these were again tested in 2013-14 crop season grouped in early and medium maturity comprising 20 varieties each including the checks. Based on maturity, plant type, resistance to diseases and seed and fodder yields, 19 of the 20 early maturity lines matured earlier than the check variety, Glenda (97 days), 9 had greater canopy height, 16 had greater grain yield, and 5 greater fodder yields than Glenda. For the medium maturity, 5 of the 20 lines matured earlier than Glenda (105 days), 16 breeding lines performed better than Glenda in grain yield, and 3 in fodder yield. The best improved varieties yielded over 2500 kg ha^-1 grain and 4000 kg ha^-1   fodder compared to about 1500 kg ha^-1   grain and 3500 kg ha^-1     fodder yield of Glenda. The crude protein of the best varieties ranged from 25 to 30% compared to 21% of Glenda. The best six varieties have been selected for large scale on-farm and multi-location trials in the coming crop season. These varieties will be used to meet the immediate needs of farmers for their production purposes and will also serve as breeding stock for the development of new well adapted high yielding varieties for South Africa.