Comparison of agronomical characters of local cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) walp.] varieties with new varieties

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]; has an important place in human nutrition as green pods and dry seeds; in animal feed as a forage crops and in increasing soil productivity as green fertilizer. In Turkey, Muğla, İzmir, Manisa, Aydın, Balıkesir and Denizli are the main growing cities for both fresh pods and dry seeds. In this study local cowpea varieties collected from different regions in Turkey (Antalya, Muğla, Denizli, Aydın, Balıkesir, Çanakkale and Diyarbakır) have been compared at Akdeniz University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops research area with some of the important commercial checks (Akkız 86, Karagöz 86, Amazon, Sırma and Pekşen) in 2019 growing season to observe yield and yield related characters. As a result of the findings obtained, it has been determined that some landraces can compete with commercial varieties in terms of seed yield (AVN 2015, 2016, 2035 and 2039); days to first flowering (AVN 2005) and days to 50% flowering (AVN 2039). It is thought that these selected landraces can be used in the development of new varieties through directly or hybridization programs