Heterosis and Combining Ability for Yield Traits in Cowpea Diallel Crosses from Northern Côte d'Ivoire

KOUAKOU Adjoua Dorcas^1, , YAO Saraka Didier Martial¹, ASSOUMAN Jean Simon Konan¹, ZANOFON Adama¹ and DIARRASSOUBA Nafan¹

¹Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Sciences Biologiques, Université Peleforo Gon Coulibaly, Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire

Cite this paper:
KOUAKOU Adjoua Dorcas, YAO Saraka Didier Martial, ASSOUMAN Jean Simon Konan, ZANOFON Adama and DIARRASSOUBA Nafan. Heterosis and Combining Ability for Yield Traits in Cowpea Diallel Crosses from Northern Côte d'Ivoire. World Journal of Agricultural Research. 2026; 14(2):38-45. doi: 10.12691/wjar-14-2-2

Abstract

This study investigated the hybrid vigor and combinability of five elite cowpea accessions in northern Côte d’Ivoire. A complete diallel cross (without self-pollination) between the varieties NTE015, NKO08, NFE011, NKO03 and NBO04 produced 20 F1 hybrids, which were evaluated on the basis of sixteen quantitative traits. The hybrids outperformed their parents for 64 % of the traits, with genotypes NTE015 and NBO04 standing out as the best general combiners (GCA), capable of favorably transmitting advantageous traits to their offspring. The NTE015 × NBO04 and NBO04 × NTE015 crosses outperformed their parents for 64.3 % of the traits, whilst NTE015 × NFE011 and NBO04 × NKO08 demonstrated strong specific combining ability (SCA). Maternal effects proved negligible, influencing only 14.3 % of traits, suggesting that the direction of the cross is not a determining factor for hybrid performance. All hybrids also reached maturity more quickly than their parents, offering a strategic advantage against environmental stresses such as late-season drought. These results highlight promising genetic diversity and justify the inclusion of these hybrids in recurrent breeding programmers aimed at developing high-yielding, early-maturing cowpea varieties adapted to local agroecological conditions.

Keywords:
Cowpea heterosis genotypes maternal effects Côte d’Ivoire

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