Post flowering drought tolerance in cowpea genotypes in Uganda

Drought stress remains a challenge in the drought prone areas of eastern and north eastern regions of Uganda where cowpea is predominantly grown. Yield losses of up to 50% have been reported on cowpea due to drought. This study was undertaken to identify cowpea genotypes tolerant to drought. Germplasm tested included Ugandan landraces and released varieties, Brazil lines, Makerere University breeding lines, and elite IITA germplasm. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design in a split plot arrangement with three replications. Watering regime was the main plot treatment and the 30 test genotypes subplot treatments. Data were collected on yield and its components and was subjected to analysis of variance, principal component and correlation. Based on these indices the following genotypes showed considerable levels of drought tolerance: WC8, Secow 5T, Secow 3B, Secow 2W, NE5, NE44, MU15, MU24C, IT84 and MU17, implying that they can be utilized as sources of drought tolerance in breeding for drought tolerant cowpea lines as well as promoted for cultivation.