Identification and development of key descriptors for phenotypic characterization of tuber cowpea [Vigna vexillata (L.) A. Rich.]

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Tuber Cowpea [(Vigna vexillata (L.) A. Rich.] collection conserved in Indian National Genebank was grown for developing key morphological descriptors and descriptor states for its characterization and preliminary evaluation. During characterization process, enormous variability was observed in agro-morphological descriptors, which include both qualitative and quantitative traits. Important morphological traits such as leaf shape and size, flowering behaviour, seed shape, size and colour, tuber shape and tuber weight showed sufficient variability in the germplasm available in the Indian national genebank. Root tuber is one of the essential and economic parts of this legume. The agro-morphological descriptors and descriptor states have been devised considering the importance of different plant parts in this multipurpose legume. Based on critical analysis of existing variability in the germplasm, a set of 56 (37 qualitative and 19 quantitative) key morphological descriptors have been proposed for characterization and preliminary evaluation of tuber cowpea germplasm.

Tripathi, Kuldeep; Pamarthi, R.K.; Gore, Padmavati G.; Nagaraju, S.; Madhavan, Latha; Gayacharan, C.; Singh, Neeta; Ahlawat, S.P.; Rana, Jai Chand; Pratap, Aditya; Kumar, Ashok.

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