Development in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). II. Effect of Temperature and Saturation Deficit on Time to Flowering in Photoperiod-Insensitive Genotypes

Abstract

Twenty-nine diverse genotypes of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) were grown in approximately 30 photothermal environments in Nigeria and Niger, with mean temperatures ranging from 19掳 to 30掳C, photoperiods from 10 to 16 h d鈭�1 and saturation deficits from 0.5 to 3.1 kPa. Twelve of these genotypes were insensitive to photoperiod. The time of flowering of these photoperiodinsensitive genotypes showed a similar response to temperature. Time to flowering was also delayed by mean pre-flowering saturation deficits greater than 1.5 kPa. The implications of these responses to temperature and saturation deficit for phenological adaptation in West Africa are discussed.

Citation

Craufurd, P.Q.; Qi, A.; Ellis, R.H.; Summerfield, R.J.; Roberts, E.H. Development in Cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata). II. Effect of Temperature and Saturation Deficit on Time to Flowering in Photoperiod-Insensitive Genotypes. Experimental Agriculture (1996) 32 (01) 13-28. [DOI: 10.1017/S0014479700025813]

Updates to this page

Published 1 January 1996