Morpho-genetic and Yield Characteristics of Different Accessions of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp

Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. is a very important crop cultivated for its seeds, fresh/ dried leaves and young pods. The study evaluated the qualitative and morpho-agronomic characteristics of sixteen varieties of V. unguiculata for their effective utilization in genetic improvement of the species. Treatments were laid out in randomized complete block design and replicated four times. Data from quantitative characters were subjected to analysis of variance. The means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at p<0.05. Data were also subjected to cluster analysis, while the inter-character relationship between the accessions was determined through Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation. The result showed that Tvu-9312, Tvu-7813, Tvu-9287 and Tvu-500 had the highest germination percentage (100%). Tvu-8018 had the shortest days to first flowering (46 days), while the shortest days to 50% flowering (52days) and peduncle lengths (19.88cm) were observed in Tvu-23. TVu-198 had the highest pod lengths (17.35cm), while TVu-8018 had the highest number of pods (4.63). Principal Component Analysis showed that the first three principal axes explained 72.0% of the total variation in the morphology and yield traits. The traits producing most of the observed variations include number of pods per plant, number of primary branches, days to first and 50% flowering. Cluster analysis showed the accessions were heterogeneous and morphologically diverse and clustered into 5 groups. Accessions in the different clusters can be recommended for cultivation or used in the development of improved cultivars of V. unguiculata.