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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Charleston, South Carolina » Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #116905
Title: COWPEA BREEDING IN THE USA, NEW VARIETIES AND IMPROVED GERMPLASM

Author
item EHLERS, J. - UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
item Fery, Richard
item HALL, ANTHONY - UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

Submitted to: World Cowpea Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/30/2001
Publication Date: 12/20/2001
Citation: EHLERS, J.D., FERY, R.L., HALL, A.E. COWPEA BREEDING IN THE USA, NEW VARIETIES AND IMPROVED GERMPLASM. Fatokun, C.A. Tarawali, S.A., Singh, B.B., Kormawa, P.M., Tamo, M., editors. International institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria. Challenges and opportunities for enhancing sustainable cowpea production. Chapter 1.6 2002. p.62-77.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cowpeas are utilized in the U.S. as both a vegetable crop and a dry bean, and breeding efforts are focused on development of varieties for specific end uses. Blackeye-type varieties are developed for production of dry beans for national and international markets. California Blackeye No. 27 (CB27), a variety with a combination of high-value traits, was released in 1999. CB27 has high yield potential, superior seed quality, heat tolerance, and broad-based resistance to root-knot nematodes and Fusarium wilt. Most U.S. breeding programs have traditionally been directed towards the development of various classes of horticultural-type varieties for the canning, freezing, fresh market, and home garden market sectors. The most interesting recent development in the horticultural arena is the acceptance of green cotyledon phenotype cultivars by the freezing industry. The green cotyledon phenotype cultivar Charleston Greenpack was released in 1997, and dit is now a leading source of raw product for the freezing industry. Ther is also interest in developing improved snap-type varieties for home/market garden uses and large-vined varieties for cover crop use. Most U.S. cowpea breeding programs continue to give high priority to the development of varieties with multiple resistances to diseases, nematodes, and insects.