EVALUATION OF DROUGHT TOLERANCE IN COWPEA GENOTYPES

ABSTRACT Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is a vital legume crop in sub-Saharan Africa, serving as a major source of protein and income for millions of smallholder farmers. However, itsproductivity is severely constrained by drought stress, which threatens food security and livelihoods. This study was conducted at the Federal College of Forestry, Jos, to evaluate the performance of seven cowpea varieties under well-watered and water-stressed conditions, with the aim of identifying genotypes with superior drought tolerance and yield potential. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, using sandy loam soil as the planting medium. Growth and yield parameters—including days to 50%germination,plantheight,numberofleaves, branches, flowering,pod number,seed perpod, 100-seed weight, and yield per hectare were recorded and analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a 5% probability level (p < 0.05). Duncan’s Multiple Range Test was employed to separate means. Results revealed significant differences among varieties and treatments. Well- watered plants consistently outperformed water-stressed plants across most parameters. Kidney beans recorded the highest vegetative growth, while small beans achieved the highest seed yield per hectare, confirming their superior adaptability. Brown beans and honey beans excelled in reproductive traits suchas pod formation and flowering. These findings highlight the existenceof exploitable genetic variation within cowpea that can be utilized in breeding programs to enhance drought resilience. This study concludes that drought stress significantly impairscowpea performance, but certain genotypes possess promising adaptive traits. It is recommended that small beans and kidney beans be prioritized for cultivation and breeding, while water management practices be integrated to mitigate the impact of drought. Ultimately, the adoptionof drought-tolerant cowpea varieties will improve productivity, strengthen food security, and support sustainable agriculture in the study area.