Preliminary study on morphological diversity of cowpea accessions [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] collected in the North of Côte d’Ivoire

The collection and characterization of the diversity of local cowling ecotypes is an important lever in defining the species’ strategies for varietal improvement. The purpose of this study was to generate information on the diversity of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] cultivars in the savannah area of Côte d’Ivoire. Collecting missions were carried out from December 2017 to February 2018, among farmers and traders in nine departments in the north of Côte d’Ivoire. These missions brought together 48 local cowpea ecotypes in seed form. These accessions were characterized on the basis of eight morphological characters, including two quantitative characters (weight of 100 seeds and length of seeds) and six qualitative characters (color, shape, presence of stain, appearance, eye shape and color around the hilum of seed). Overall, the results showed considerable variability in seed coat coloration in varying proportions. Overall, 35.42% of the samples collected were white, 33.33% were red and 31.25% were other colors. The Multiple Correspondence analysis carried out using all the qualitative characters made it possible to group the 48 accessions collected into 16 morphological groups or morphotypes with distinct characteristics. In addition, they reflect a good part of the morphological diversity of cowpea accessions from the north of Côte d'Ivoire that could be exploited in varietal selection programs for the species.