Climate Smart Crop: Evaluation of Selected Mutant Cowpea Genotypes for Yield, Earliness and Ground Cover in Eastern Zambia
Mwila M Natasha*, Munkonze Ben, Aaron Siyunda and Kalaluka Munyinda
Published: August 31, 2022
Abstract
The use of climate smart crops in Zambia is an urgent concern by the government and the private sector, as the weather trends show an increasing low rainfall quantity and length of season, with increased temperatures across the seasons. The use of mutation breeding to create variation among cowpea genotypes for climate smart traits (improved yields, resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses) has resulted in promising lines with potential for use in climate change adaptation, especially among farmers. However, there is limited available information on the performance of the mutants. Evaluation of the mutation derived materials is essential in generating information that will be useful in development of appropriate adaptable varieties with good crop performance. Six genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) for traits; grain yield, days to maturity, biomass, ground cover and resistance to aphids in two seasons. The traits were measured as they are known to contribute highly to grain yield and are correlated to climate change adaptation. The weather data in two seasons were collected from meteorological department of Zambia. LT 4-2-4-1 and LT11-3-3-12 mutants showed increased grain yield, earliness and ground cover, compared to their parental variety, Lutembwe, and a recently released variety Lukusuzi, both used as controls. LT 4-2-4-1 recorded the highest yield of 1506 kg/ha while the parent had 1100kg/ha. The number of days to maturity was least (80) in LT 4-2-4-1 and ground cover was at 4.33 compared to 2.33 for Lutembweparental variety. Varying weather conditions, require the use of more early maturing varieties, therefore, genotypes such as LT 4-2-4-1 should be considered by Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI) for pre-release. Additionally, LT 4-2-4-1 and LT11-3-3-12 could be useful as breeding lines for ground cover and earliness in other breeding programs.