Srinagar, Oct 15 (KNS): Researchers at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) have identified a cowpea genetic line with a predicted seed yield approximately twice that of the best-performing comparison variety, following a three-year evaluation of 150 germplasm lines under temperate Kashmir conditions.

The study, published on October 7 in the international journal Frontiers in Plant Science, examined crop productivity and yield stability across the 2020, 2021 and 2022 growing seasons.

Researchers evaluated 150 cowpea lines obtained from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture alongside four comparison varieties at a research site in Kashmir.

The study found substantial genetic differences in productivity, enabling scientists to identify lines that performed consistently despite changes in growing conditions between seasons.

Among the tested lines, IITA-122 recorded the highest statistically predicted seed yield of 156.94 grams per plant, approximately 100.6 per cent higher than the best comparison variety.

Another line, IITA-84, emerged as the strongest candidate when both productivity and stability were considered together.
The researchers ultimately identified 13 promising genotypes meeting their combined criteria for high yield, consistency and statistical confidence.

According to the paper, seed yield showed particularly high genetic variability, indicating considerable potential for crop improvement through selective breeding.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The research also found that the relative ranking of high-performing genetic lines remained largely consistent across the three growing seasons.

This suggests that some of the identified lines may offer a useful foundation for developing improved cowpea varieties suited to temperate growing conditions.

Cowpea is a protein-rich legume valued for its nutritional contribution, relatively short growing period and ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen.

Its potential role in crop diversification is particularly relevant to agricultural systems seeking improved productivity under changing environmental conditions.

The research was conducted by Sami Jan, M. Ashraf Bhat, Akshay Kumar, Nakeeb-un-Nisa, M. Altaf Wani and other scientists associated with SKUAST-K and CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Srinagar.

However, the authors cautioned that the findings establish performance across different years at a single experimental location.

They do not yet demonstrate that the selected lines will produce similar yields across different districts, soils or farming systems.
The researchers have recommended further replicated, multi-location trials before the promising lines can be considered for wider agricultural use.

The paper, titled "Precision-Weighted Mixed Models Identify High-Yielding and Temporally Stable Cowpea Germplasm Across Three Growing Seasons", was published in Volume 17 of Frontiers in Plant Science.(KNS)