Cowpea is another
underutilized and under researched crop in South Africa and is grown mainly by
subsistence farmers for its leaves and seeds for human consumption. Cowpea is
widely distributed in regions of tropical and temperate climates, thus
differing morphologically (shape, size, colour of seed coat) and in proximate
composition, hence effecting physicochemical characteristics. Characterization,
evaluation and selection of cowpea germplasm accessions is a pre-requisite in
any plant breeding programme. A pre-breeding programme of cowpea is actively
progressing which aims to lead to a full-scale crop improvement programme in
the ARC. Cowpea is tolerant to climate change such as poor quality soils and
drought, and suitable for low-input agricultural production systems. Cowpea is
a legume crop tolerant to drought and fixes nitrogen, which helps in improving
the fertility of the soil and in the replenishment of soil nutrients, makes it
suitable in intercropping systems with cereals and other root crops, and the
leaves are also rich in mineral elements and protein content and it is also a source
of animal feed. It increases the population of important soil microorganisms
that help to improve soil health. This crop plays an important role in
sustainable food security and alleviation of malnutrition in the country.
Cowpea is used as a leafy and fruit vegetable, as well as a grain crop in food
systems and is rich in carbohydrates, protein, minerals and vitamins.
Information on the genetic variability among the existing cowpea genotypes will
increase the efficiency of the improvement program. It is important to
genetically evaluate and select superior parental lines that have high yield
potential and nutritional composition for small-scale farmers, as well as to
develop new cowpea cultivars for the communities. In South Africa, it is
especially popular among farmers with limited resources.
Cowpea plants and pods:
