Correlation Study of Cowpea Agronomic Traits with Grain Yield in The Guinea Savanna Agro-Ecological Zone of Nigeria

Teryima Iorlamen* and Simon Nyamve Mnzughul
Department of Crop Production, College of Agronomy, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi, 970101, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author: Teryima Iorlamen, Department of Crop Production, College of Agronomy, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi, 970101, Nigeria.

Published: June 28, 2025

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Abstract  

The study was conducted in 2019, 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons in three locations; Makurdi, Abuja and Zaria within the Guinea Savanna Agro-ecological zone of Nigeria, considered as non-traditional cowpea growing region. Six improved cowpea varieties (IT99K-573-1-1, IT99K-573-2-1, IT89KD-288, UAM09-1055-6, UAM09-1046-6-1, and UAM09- 1051-1.) were planted across the three locations for correlation study. Pearson’s correlation coefficient between grain yield and the other traits; days to first flowering, days to 50% flower, days to 95% maturity, leaf area index, plant height, total dry matter, harvest index, 100 grain weight, peduncle per m², branches per m², number of seeds per m², number of pods per m² and pod length was computed using PROC CORR of SAS. The result in Abuja showed that significant and positive correlation was observed between grain yield and total dry matter (g/m^-2), peduncles/m^-2, branches/m^-2, number of grains (m^-2), number of pod /m^-2 and pod length. Significant and positive correlations were obtained between grains per pod and harvest index and number of grains/m^-2. The results in Makurdi showed highly significant and positive correlation were observed between number of grains per pod, number of grains (m^-2) and pod length. The result in Zaria revealed the same trend with highly significant and positive correlation were observed between grains per pod and leaf area index. From the present study, it can be concluded and recommended that, since number of peduncles, number of branches/m², number of pods per plant, pod length and number of grains/m² were consistently positively correlated with grain yield across locations; therefore, these traits could serve as good characteristics to use for improvement of yield.

Keywords: Cowpea; Agronomic traits; yield; correlation

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