Phenotypic characterization of different seed coat color of cowpea cultivars, Vigna unguiculata (L). Walp. in West-Central Côte d'Ivoire

Cowpea is a widely consumed legume in sub-Saharan Africa. Several cowpea cultivars based on seed coat color are widely observed. Consumers' choice of cultivar varies from one region to another. However, the lack of improved varieties and the limited availability of information on the productive potential of these cultivars is one of the constraints on the development of cowpea production. Thus, red, white, black and brown seed coat widely consumed were evaluated in the field over two consecutive years, 2022 and 2023 on a plot following a randomized complete block design with four replications. Morphological and agronomic parameters showed that there were two groups of cultivars with interesting agronomic characteristics. The first group composed of the black, brown and red cultivars had a relatively short reproductive time, averaging 66 days. These cultivars are considered early. The number of fruits of these cultivars was also high, with an average of 12 fruits per plant. The second group, consisting exclusively of the white seed coat cultivar produced high biomass and plant length. It had also twice the pod and seed weight of the other cultivars. It would be possible to develop hybrids in the future, seeking, for example, to improve the seed weight of the red cultivar with a short reproductive cycle by crossing with the white seed coat cultivar, with a view to creating an early variety with a high yield.