Dose-Dependent Effects of Colchicine on Growth and Yield Traits of Improved Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L. ] Walp.) Varieties across M1 and M2 Generations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56919/usci.2652.021Keywords:
Colchicine, Mutation breeding, Polyploidy, Genetic, Variability, Cowpea, CropAbstract
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) is an important grain legume widely cultivated for its nutritional value and adaptability to diverse agroecological conditions. However, limited genetic variability among elite cultivars has constrained yield improvement through conventional breeding. This study evaluated the dose-dependent effects of colchicine on growth and yield traits of three improved cowpea varieties (SAMPEA 12, SAMPEA 14, and SAMPEA 19) across M₁ and M₂ generations. The experiment was conducted at the Botanical Garden of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, using a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement comprising five colchicine concentrations (0.0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mM), three varieties, and three replicates. A total of 675 seeds were treated and evaluated for emergence, survival, vegetative growth, flowering, and yield-related parameters. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test at p ≤ 0.05. Colchicine concentration significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced most growth and yield traits in both generations. In the M₁ generation, the 0.1 mM treatment produced the highest emergence percentage in SAMPEA 19 at 7 DAS (93.33%) and 14 DAS (81.10%), while the highest survival rate (81.34%) was observed in SAMPEA 14. In the M₂ generation, 0.1 mM colchicine consistently produced superior agronomic performance, recording the highest emergence (96.67%), survival (87.78%), plant height (25.33 cm), leaf area (49.67 cm²), pods per plant (27.00), and seeds per pod (16.67), particularly in SAMPEA 19. Conversely, higher colchicine concentrations (1.0 and 2.0 mM) significantly reduced emergence, survival, and yield traits due to phytotoxic effects and delayed flowering. SAMPEA 19 was the most responsive variety, whereas SAMPEA 14 showed relatively lower responses to colchicine treatment. The findings demonstrate that low colchicine concentration (0.1 mM) effectively enhanced growth and yield traits in improved cowpea varieties and could be utilized for induced variability and crop improvement programmes.
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