HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Asafo-Adjei, B. Articles by Singh, B.B. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Asafo-Adjei, B. Articles by Singh, B.B. Agricola Articles by Asafo-Adjei, B. Articles by Singh, B.B.

REGISTRATIONS OF CULTIVARS

Registration of ‘Bengpla’ Cowpea

^a Crop Research Institute (CRI), Kumasi, Ghana
^b International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Kano Station, PMB 3112, Kano, Nigeria

^* Corresponding author (b.b.singh{at}cgiar.org)

‘Bengpla’, originally designated as IT83S-818, cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] (Reg. no. CV-251, PI 639262) was developed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and distributed to various national programs in 1985 as part of the Early Maturing Cowpea International Trial. Bengpla was received by the Crops Research Institute (CRI) in 1985 as one of the entries of early maturing IITA Cowpea International Trial and planted at the research farm at Kwadaso in the major season of 1985. In the minor season, the trial was repeated at five CRI research stations in southern Ghana: Kwadaso and Fumesua in the semideciduous forest (S-DF) zone, Ejura and Kpeve in forest–savanna transition (F-ST) zone, and Pokuase in the coastal savanna (CS) zone. Bengpla had superior yield to other varieties in the trial. Since the line had a few mixtures, it was purified, multiplied, and evaluated in 1988 and 1989 crop seasons along with other local and improved lines. The trials were conducted in the two seasons in southern Ghana each year and once a year in northern Ghana at a minimum of six sites each season. This line was consistently superior and ranked among the four best entries for grain yield and other agronomic characteristics. Bengpla was further evaluated in farmers' fields at over 30 locations in the major agro-ecological zones of Ghana from 1988 to 1991, and based on its consistent superior performance, it was officially released in 1992 for general cultivation in Ghana.

Bengpla is an F₆ line derived from the cross [(TVx 33–1J x TVu 6203) x TVx 33–1J] x TVx 6332. The parents of TVx 33–1J are TVu 37 and TVu 530 which represent Pale Green from South Africa and Ibadan 2 from Nigeria, respectively. TVu 6203 is a line from the USA and TVx 6332 is derived from a complex cross [(TVu 1190 x TVu 76) x TVu 2026] x TVu 625. TVu1190 is V.U. 5 from Tanzania; TVu 76 is Prima, TVu 2027 is Kano 8, and TVu 625 is A 10, all three from Nigeria.

Bengpla is an early maturing (65 d) variety with erect growth habit, medium-size broad leaves, and long upright peduncles. It has medium-size seeds (16 g 100 seeds^–1) with smooth white shiny testa and black hilum. It has 29.75% protein and 1.91% oil. Bengpla is resistant to pod shattering and lodging. It is resistant to anthracnose [caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Sacc. & Magn.) Br. & Cav.], web blight (caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kühn), brown blotch (caused by Colletotrichum capsici Syd.), Cercospora leaf spots (caused by Cerscospora cruenta Sacc. and Cercospora canescens Ellis & Martin), Septoria leaf spot (caused by Septoria vignae P. Henn), bacterial blight (caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vignicola Burkholder), as well as Cowpea yellow mosaic virus, Blackeye cowpea mosaic virus, Southern bean mosaic virus, and Cowpea aphid borne mosaic virus.

Bengpla has wide adaptation with about 43% higher yield than that of ‘Amantin’, one of the local check varieties. However, for optimum yield of good quality seed and grain, Bengpla is recommended for cultivation in the CS (major and minor seasons), S-DF (minor season), F-ST (minor season), and Guinea and Sudan savannas (early or midseason). Bengpla is currently the most widely cultivated variety in the Transition zone in Ghana. Farmers and consumers prefer Bengpla to ‘Asontem’ because of its white smooth bold seed, shorter cooking time, and excellent taste. The variety was named Bengpla and proposed for release based on its good performance and consumer preferred seed characteristics.

Crop Research Institute produced 200 kg Breeder seed while the Grains and Legumes Development Board (GLDB) produced about 5000 kg Foundation seed in 1990 to 1991. About 10 to 15 t of commercial seed were produced by certified seed growers and made available for sale to farmers. The Breeder seed is currently being maintained by CRI as well as IITA and freely available on request. No variety protection is being planned.

NOTES

Registration by CSSA.

Accepted for publication May 31, 2005.

REFERENCES

• Abatania, L., K.O. Gyasi, O. Coulibaly, R. Adeoti, and A.B. Salifu. 2000. Adoption and impact of improved cowpea technologies in Ghana. PRONAF Socio-economic working paper No. 01/2000– SE/GH. IITA Benin Station, Cotonou, Benin Republic.
• GGDP 1984–1989. Ghana Grains Development Project (GGDP). Annual reports for 1983–1988. Kumasi, Ghana.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Asafo-Adjei, B. Articles by Singh, B.B. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Asafo-Adjei, B. Articles by Singh, B.B. Agricola Articles by Asafo-Adjei, B. Articles by Singh, B.B.