@article{7da5a50b716d47dd82dcc343e12bee9b,
title = "Cowpea leaf width correlates with above ground biomass across diverse environments",
abstract = "Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) yields within the dry savannahs of Sub-Saharan Africa are low. Given the contribution of cowpea to food security in this region, it is essential that high-yielding varieties are developed to improve crop productivity in a sustainable manner. Identifying morphological or physiological traits that correlate with biomass could assist breeders with rapid screening of diverse germplasm. This study investigated 23 diverse Nigerian cowpea lines in an environmentally controlled greenhouse and 50 diverse lines from a Multiparent Advanced Generation Intercross (MAGIC) population in the field to identify easily measurable traits associated with high above ground biomass. Correlation analyses found that leaf traits were significantly and positively correlated with above ground biomass, and the leaf width of the youngest fully expanded leaf was the best indicator of biomass yield. Analysis of variance identified significant differences among the genotypes for all measured traits, indicating that there is genetic variation among these varieties and opportunity for selection. These results from the greenhouse and the field indicate that the leaf width of the youngest fully expanded leaf can be used to rapidly select cowpea lines with high biomass production potential.",
keywords = "Vigna unguiculata, biomass yield, crop productivity, path analysis, phenotypic marker",
author = "Anthony Digrado and Emmanuel Gonzalez-Escobar and Nicole Owston and Rhiannon Page and Mohammed, {Saba Baba} and Umar, {Muhammad Lawan} and Ousmane Boukar and Ainsworth, {Elizabeth A.} and Elizabete Carmo-Silva",
note = "Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The authors thank those who helped in the field: Christopher Moller, Duncan Martin, David Drag, Ben Harbaugh and Benjamin Thompson. This research was supported by a subaward from the University of Illinois as part of the research project Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) that is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and the UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office under Grant OPP1172157. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The authors thank those who helped in the field: Christopher Moller, Duncan Martin, David Drag, Ben Harbaugh and Benjamin Thompson. This research was supported by a subaward from the University of Illinois as part of the research project Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) that is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and the UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office under Grant OPP1172157.",
year = "2022",
month = dec,
doi = "10.1002/leg3.144",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "4",
journal = "Legume Science",
issn = "2639-6181",
publisher = "John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.",
number = "4",
}