Selection of genotypes

7.4.3.1 Maturity

Genotypes 305, 309, 479, 570 and 544 were preferred for early maturity (Figs. 7.1 & 7.6a), with 305 and 309 selected at all the sites. Farmers prefer early maturing genotypes for food availability in times of critical food shortages. Food in Malawi is always in short supply during the wet season when crops are growing (Ellis & Manda, 2012). In addition, such varieties ensure grain yield under terminal drought conditions. However, the selection of early maturing genotypes by farmers should be considered with caution, because early maturing genotypes are associated with low yields, mainly due to a reduced vegetative

growth period (Agbicodo et al., 2009). Besides low yield characteristics, the early maturing

genotypes are associated with low leaf biomass production. Therefore, the development of a cropping system which integrates genotypes with early maturity, high grain yield and a prolonged growth period would help ensure the high production of cowpea.

Towards the development of a farmer-oriented cowpea improvement programme in Malawi

7.4.3.2 Leaf biomass

Genotypes 2226, 2227 and 3422 scored highly for leaf biomass (Figs. 7.2 & 7.6b). Genotypes with high leaf biomass were selected for fresh and dried leaf vegetables and animal fodder. In Malawi, no named varieties have been released for high leaf biomass, to cater for the demand for leaf vegetable and animal fodder. The genotypes identified in this study form a good starting point for research on high leaf biomass in cowpea. This may help ensure increased benefits from cowpea production, compared with the current situation where emphasis is laid only on increased grain yield, rather than other products, and would support the notion that cowpea is a multi-purpose crop (Timko & Singh, 2008).

7.4.3.3 Pod load

Cowpea is used as a vegetable in various forms including immature fresh pods, fresh seeds and tender young leaves (Timko & Singh, 2008). Farmers in this study selected genotypes with a high pod load, specifically for immature pods. Genotypes 309 and 305 were preferred for high pod load at all four sites, while 3254 and Sudan 1 were preferred at three sites each and some genotypes were selected at specific sites (Figs. 7.3 & 7.6c). The selection of

genotypes with a high pod load by farmers supports the recommendation by Umaharan et al.

(1997) that vegetable cowpea (immature pods) improvement should target genotypes with a large cluster of pods per plant and a high pod weight per plant. However, the use of a high pod load or large cluster of pods alone may not be a good selection criterion. Additional pod attributes such as green colour and tender fibreless pods, are also used in the selection of

vegetable cowpea varieties (Pandey et al., 2006). The development of varieties with a high

pod load and other desirable attributes, such as a green colour and tender fibreless pods, together with long large pods, would significantly improve the utilisation of cowpea as a vegetable crop in Malawi.

7.4.3.4 Seed size

Genotypes with large (2226 and 2227) and small (305, 309 and 421) seeds were preferred for domestic uses at all the sites (Figs. 7.4 & 7.6d). The genotypes with large seeds were specifically preferred for use as snacks, while genotypes with small seeds were preferred for making stew. In contrast, varieties with large seeds were preferred for high market premiums,

rather than domestic use in Nigeria (Kamara et al., 2010), Ghana (Quaye et al., 2011) and

Cameroon (Kitch et al., 1998). The different cowpea utilisation patterns between Malawi and

West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon) indicates that production of cowpea in West Africa has moved towards industrial use and hence the demand for varieties with large seed size to meet market demand.

Based on the split preference for seed size in this study and the potential of high market premiums from genotypes with large seeds in West Africa, it is imperative to establish parallel breeding programmes that target varieties in each category. The varieties with small seeds will address the domestic demand for making stew, while varieties with large seeds will address domestic need for snack consumption and potential future commercial needs. In this study, genotypes 2227 and 2226 showed good potential for cowpea commercialisation, due to their large seeds. However, the commercialisation of cowpea requires the involvement of the private sector if markets are to be stable. A proper market analysis needs to be conducted in order to establish the commercial value of the crop in Malawi, prior to the establishment of a breeding programme for varieties with large seeds. The other option for commercialisation of cowpea is to encourage processing companies from within and outside Malawi to start developing products from cowpea.

7.4.3.5 Seed testa texture

Cowpea varieties differ in the texture of the seed testa, with some varieties exhibiting smooth seeds, while others exhibit rough (wrinkled) characteristics (Uguru, 1996). In this study,

Towards the development of a farmer-oriented cowpea improvement programme in Malawi

farmers preferred genotypes with smooth rather than rough characteristics (Figs 7.5 & 7.6e)). This is evident from the poor ranking of 3254, the only genotype with a rough seed testa. The poor ranking of genotype IT84s-2246, with seed characteristics similar to 3254, was also

observed in Mozambique (Chiulele et al., 2011). Similar results from farmers in Malawi and

Mozambique indicate a common preference for varieties in the two countries located in Southern Africa. However, in West Africa, varieties with wrinkled seeds are preferred by

farmers and cowpea processing industries, due to easy de-hulling (Zannou et al., 2004). The

poor ranking of 3254 in Malawi and IT84s-2246 in Mozambique is a reflection of the fact that cowpea is currently mainly produced for domestic use in these countries, and that varieties suitable for processing may not be readily accepted. Viable commercialisation of cowpea varieties in these two countries would require the availability of varieties with easy processing characteristics, such as 3254 and IT84s-2246. Consequently, varieties with a rough seed testa should not be completely rejected by research for future commercialisation. Research institutions in the two countries should strive to increase acceptance of varieties with rough seeds, through public awareness on the importance of such varieties with an emphasis on the involvement of private companies in the marketing and processing of cowpea.