Jul 2026· Notulae Scientia Biologicae· Vol 18, pp. 12948· 0 citations
Abstract
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) is a multifunctional species originating from Africa, where it plays a key role in food security and sustainable agriculture. In Morocco, it remains a marginal crop that has been scientifically overlooked, despite its crucial role in food security, which limits its integration into genetic improvement programs and compromises the sustainable conservation and valorisation of this plant genetic heritage. A field experiment was conducted during the 2023 cropping season using a randomized complete block design with three replications to evaluate the agro-morphological diversity of 19 cowpea landraces collected from different regions of Morocco. A total of 50 qualitative and quantitative traits (morphological, phenological, and agronomic) were assessed at different growth stages. The results revealed a considerable level of variation across most assessed traits, supported by a high total phenotypic diversity (HT = 0.53) and a mean within-population diversity (Hs̄ = 0.45±0.20) that exceeded the among-population phenotypic diversity (GST = 0.16). The average phenotypic diversity (Hp̄) across landraces was 0.45, with no significant differences among landraces. principal component analysis (PCA) revealed significant variation among the 19 cowpea landraces, enabling their grouping based on similarities independently of their geographical origin, with landraces BH3, CF2, HG and TK1 being distinguished by a combination of desirable traits. These results show a considerable level of intra- and inter-landrace diversity among Moroccan cowpea landraces, providing essential information for their conservation, sustainable use, and incorporation into breeding and selection programs, which is particularly relevant as a strategic crop in the current context of climate change.
ABSTRACT Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) is an important socioeconomic legume in northeastern Brazil, particularly among small- and medium-scale farmers. Despite its nutritional value and role in food security, crop yield is often compromised by diseases such as anthracnose. This study aimed to evaluate six groups of lima bean populations at the fifth generation (F5), derived from crosses between genotypes conserved in the P. lunatus Active Germplasm Bank at the Universidade Federal do Piauí, which differed in morphological traits and levels of anthracnose resistance. Populations were grown under field conditions and evaluated for agromorphological and phytopathological traits, including yield, seed morphology, and disease resistance. Statistical analyses were performed using restricted maximum likelihood/best linear unbiased prediction and likelihood ratio test methods with the aid of SELEGEN, R, and Genes software. Among the populations, significant phenotypic variability was observed. Population P6 was notable for its earliness, a desirable trait that contributes to disease escape; P2 and P4 showed white seed coats and commercially attractive seeds, whereas P4, P5, and P6 exhibited superior performance in pod, seed, and anthracnose resistance traits. The presence of BGP-UFPI 832 genotype in the most promising crosses suggests its potential to transmit favorable alleles. These results indicate that populations P4, P5, and P6 are potential candidates for breeding programs focused on developing higher-yielding, locally adapted, and anthracnose-resistant cultivars.
Kathully Karolaine Brito Torres, M. V. de Brito, João Vitor Morais Sousa et al.· Bragantia· 0 citations
Pumpkins (
Cucurbita
spp.) are globally valued for their nutritional, medicinal and economic importance, yet morpho-agronomic diversity among Uganda’s pumpkin landraces remain under-documented despite the favorable agroecological conditions for growth. This study examined 40 landraces (29 of
Cucurbita moschata
and 11 of
Cucurbita pepo
) collected from 18 districts in Uganda under uniform field conditions at Muni University, using 31 morpho-agronomic descriptors. Germination across landraces was conserved, with most sprouting in 6–7 days, while seed weight varied significantly (19.7–52.2 g per 100 seeds), with district-level differences in Central (
F
₇,₁₂ = 3.24,
P
= 0.03) and Eastern regions (
F
₂,₆ = 6.46,
P
= 0.03). Seedling traits showed strong differentiation in cotyledon shape, with χ² analysis confirming significant district-level differences in the Central region (χ² = 30.4,
P
= 0.02). Stem and growth habits ranged from bush to trailing types, with variable branching degree and χ² tests revealed significant differences in landraces among districts from Eastern (χ² = 18.0,
P
= 0.02). Leaf traits also exhibited notable diversity in blade size, colour intensity, petiole prickles and dimensions, with χ² analysis detecting significant variation in leaf colour intensity of landraces within Northern districts (χ² = 12.0,
P
= 0.02). Early germination correlated with shorter fruits and smaller seeds; seed weight with seed size; branching with longer petioles and larger leaves. Fruit length and diameter were independent. PCA of 11 traits across 40 landraces explained 38.6% of variation (PC1: 22.0%, PC2: 16.6%). These findings highlight Uganda’s rich but underexplored pumpkin diversity, underscoring the importance of systematic characterization for breeding. The results provide opportunities for selecting high-yielding, disease-resistant and nutritionally superior lines tailored to specific agro-ecological zones. Ultimately, conservation and utilization of these landraces enhances food security, farmer productivity and value chain development, positioning pumpkins as a vital crop for nutrition, livelihoods and sustainable agriculture in Uganda and beyond.
What is already known on this subject?
Uganda’s pumpkins remain under-documented despite favourable agro-ecological diversity. Local landraces show substantial morphological diversity, offering untapped potential for breeding, food security, nutrition and sustainable agricultural value chain development.
What are the new findings?
Ugandan pumpkin landraces show conserved germination but significant district-level variation in seed weight, cotyledon, stem, leaf, flower, fruit and seed traits, revealing rich diversity crucial for breeding, conservation and food security.
What are the expected impacts on horticulture?
The rich morpho-agronomic diversity of Ugandan landraces enables breeding of superior varieties, enhancing productivity, market preference, food security and strengthening horticultural value chains.
Augustine Muhindo, Kesawat Singh Mahipal, G. Ddamulira et al.· European Journal of Horticul...· 0 citations
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is an important warm-season multipurpose legume valued for its
nutritional quality, adaptability, and contribution to sustainable agriculture. Morphological
characterization of germplasm is essential for the identification of distinct genotypes, assessment of
phenotypic diversity, and selection of suitable parental lines for crop improvement programmes. The
present investigation was undertaken to characterize the morphological diversity of thirty vegetable
cowpea genotypes using qualitative descriptors under summer conditions. The experiment was
conducted during the summer of 2024 at the Vegetable Research Farm, Regional Horticultural Research
Station (RHRS), ASPEE College of Horticulture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat.
Thirty genotypes, including twenty-nine diverse accessions and one standard check (Pusa Phalguni),
were evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications under three sowing
dates. Ten qualitative morphological traits were recorded following the standardized IPGRI/IITA
cowpea descriptor guidelines. Substantial phenotypic variation was observed for all qualitative
descriptors, indicating the presence of a broad genetic base among the evaluated genotypes. Plant growth
habit varied from erect (26.7%) and semi-erect (23.3%) to bush (20.0%), pole type (20.0%), and
horizontal (10.0%). Kidney-shaped seeds were predominant (43.3%), followed by elliptical (33.3%) and
rhomboid (23.3%) seeds. Considerable variation was also recorded for climbing tendency, plant
pigmentation, terminal leaflet shape, leaf colour, leaf texture, flower colour, pod curvature, and mature
pod colour. Flower colour was equally represented by white, yellow, and purple types, while curved pods
and green mature pods were the most frequent phenotypes. The observed diversity demonstrates the
distinct morphological identity of the evaluated germplasm and highlights the usefulness of qualitative
descriptors for varietal characterization. The wide range of morphological variation observed among the
cowpea genotypes provides valuable genetic resources for germplasm conservation and characterization.
Genotypes possessing desirable traits such as erect growth habit, non-climbing tendency, kidney-shaped
seeds, and straight green pods may serve as promising parental lines for vegetable cowpea improvement
programmes aimed at developing high-yielding and agronomically superior cultivars
M. N., V. Parmar, Y. Tandel et al.· Plant Archives· 0 citations
Rainfed legume production in Burkina Faso is increasingly challenged by climatic variability. Diversifying grain-legume genetic resources may help address these constraints and support food security. Tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray), a legume native to the south-western United States and northern Mexico, is tolerant of water stress, heat, and diseases. This crop may therefore provide an alternative for maintaining grain-legume production under erratic rainfall. This study evaluated the morphometric and agronomic characteristics of 36 tepary bean accessions introduced into Burkina Faso. The experiment was conducted over two consecutive years (2022 and 2023) at the Kamboinse research station using an alpha-lattice design with three replications. Fourteen quantitative traits were recorded using descriptors established by the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources. The results revealed morphometric and agronomic variability within the collection. Significant differences were observed among accessions and years, as well as for the accession × year interaction for selected traits. A strong positive correlation was observed between seed length and seed width. Plant height was the principal discriminating morphometric trait, whereas 100-seed weight and seed yield were the principal discriminating agronomic traits. Cluster analysis structured the accessions into three groups: Group II contained 16 accessions, Group I contained 12, and Group III contained eight. Accessions G40279 and G40173C from Group II showed high grain-yield potential and may be useful in breeding programmes targeting variable climatic conditions in Burkina Faso.
A. Congo, B. J. Batieno, P. Sawadogo et al.· Journal of Advances in Biolo...· 0 citations
Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is a major staple crop in West and Central Africa, but its productivity remains limited by the underutilization of available genetic diversity. This study evaluated the agro-morphological diversity and population structure of cultivated yams in Cameroon. A total of 224 accessions were collected from farmers’ fields and local markets across major yam-growing regions and established in an on-farm trial at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Yaoundé, using a serpentine design without replication. A subset of 126 accessions, representing four healthy plants per landrace and sampling locality, was characterized using 42 agro-morphological descriptors encompassing tuber, vegetative, and inflorescence traits. Data were standardized using z-score transformation and analyzed using principal components analysis (PCA) for exploratory ordination. Based on PCA ordination, accessions with similar local names were aggregated to reduce the dataset to 88 landraces. Mean trait values were subjected to Gower distance-based hierarchical clustering. The first two principal components explained 45.4% of total variation, driven mainly by tuber traits, plant vigor, and leaf morphology. The population structure was resolved along gradients defined by productivity-, defense-, and growth cycle-related traits. Cluster analysis identified five stable groups, with further subdivision into seven clades, at Gower thresholds of 0.38 and 0.24, respectively. Silhouette analysis supported the five-cluster solution as the most robust. The observed diversity reflected a trade-off between adaptive defense strategies and productivity-related traits. The seven clades corresponded to seven presumptive Dioscorea species, suggesting possible genetic erosion compared to earlier reports. These findings highlight substantial morphological diversity, important for yam breeding and conservation. Integration of molecular markers is recommended to enhance finer genetic resolution of genetic diversity of yams.
I. Azeteh, R. Hanna, A. Njukeng et al.· Discover Plants· 0 citations
The present study evaluated morphological diversity among 254 rice accessions, comprising 250 indigenous landraces and four checks (IR 64, JR 206, Improved Jeerashankar, and Improved Chinnor), using qualitative DUS descriptors and the Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index (SWDI). The study aimed to identify variable traits that could support varietal documentation, germplasm characterisation, and use in rice breeding programmes. The accessions showed substantial variation in several reproductive, panicle, awn, pigmentation, and grain-related traits, whereas some vegetative traits were conserved. Leaf collar and ligule presence were monomorphic, with 100% occurrence and no diversity (SWDI = 0.00). Leaf auricle and anthocyanin pigmentation of the nodes and internodes also showed limited variation. The highest diversity was recorded for panicle length of the longest awn (SWDI = 1.55), followed by awn colour (SWDI = 1.43), spikelet colour of the lemma tip (SWDI = 1.41), lemma and palea colour (SWDI = 1.40), and flag-leaf attitude at late observation (SWDI = 1.32). Panicle branch attitude was also variable, with semi-erect (40.94%), erect (30.70%), and erect-to-semi-erect (17.32%) types predominating. Moderate diversity was observed for culm attitude, spikelet pubescence, stigma colour, panicle exertion, sterile lemma colour, and secondary branching intensity. Overall, SWDI values ranged from 0.00 to 1.55. The highly variable qualitative descriptors identified in this study may support genotype identification, DUS characterisation, germplasm conservation, and the selection of diverse parental material for rice improvement programmes.
Vikash Sharma, Y. Singh, S. K. Singh et al.· Archives of Current Research...· 0 citations
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