Present characteristics of cowpea variety selection criteria vary significantly in major growing regions of Kenya
Paper Details
Present characteristics of cowpea variety selection criteria vary significantly in major growing regions of Kenya
Abstract
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is an important legume serving multiple roles for many low-income farmers. However, its productivity remains low and discrepancies exist in selection and acceptability criteria. Including farmer-preferences could help develop adoptable varieties. This study surveyed present production practices among 64 representative smallholders to inform breeding objectives. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data analysed using SPSS Software version 23. Education, land, drought, seed sources, improved variety, seed availability, and pests significantly (P<0.001) affected cowpea production. Most respondents were married, aged 31-40 years, and had primary, secondary or tertiary education. About 60.9% practiced mixed cropping, while 60.9% grew cowpea with multiple crop cycles. Whereas majority relied on rain, 32.8% strongly agreed that drought determined cowpea variety adopted. Acreage cultivated was <1 acre by 84.4% respondents. Farmers named 7 insect-pests as major threats, with aphids leading (67.2%). Five diseases were major constraints, with cowpea mosaic virus leading (64.1%). Majority (68.8%) grew cowpea for dual usage as grains and leafy vegetables. Farmer-preference revealed that leaf texture, seed colour and availability traits determine variety choice. Households totalling 46.9% preferred medium leaf texture with delicious (28.1%), sweet (26.6%) or bitter (12.5%) taste. There was a significant association between region and drought (χ2=15.57, df=4, P=0.004), region and production purpose (χ2=16.49, df=2, P=0.004), as well as region and utilisation (χ2=8.44, df=1, P=0.004). In Western 38.2% and Eastern 63.3% respondents strongly agreed that drought was a constraint. A total of 70% and 52.9% respondents in Eastern and Western, respectively, grew cowpea as a mixed crop. Most respondents (47.1%) in Western grew cowpea for leafy vegetables, while 86.7% in Eastern grew for dual-usage. This study recommends use of present baseline information on key selection criteria in generating demand-led variety design during breeding.
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