Parental selection and descriptor evaluation in the identification of superior cowpea genotypes

The objective of this study was to evaluate and quantify the genetic divergence between accessions of cowpea, aiming to identify the characters that most contribute to diversity and select superior parents. Seventy-six cowpea accessions were evaluated using 19 descriptors that were also utilized to estimate genetic diversity using the Shannon-Weaver index. Phenology and production data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and were subjected to Pearson’s correlation test. The descriptors flower color, pod color, and seed brightness showed greater variability in the quantification of genetic diversity. The genotypes Das Almas, Galanjão, selected from CE-13, 7907-Purple Hull and Caupi Branco should be incorporated into cowpea breeding programs as they exhibit desirable agronomic characters. Crossings involving the genotype 7907-Purple Hull with Das Almas and Galanjão are indicated, which could result in obtaining superior genotypes in terms of precocity and grain yield.