DIVERSITE AGROGENETIQUE DES CULTIVARS LOCAUX DE NIEBE (VIGNA UNGUICULATA) A L'EXTREME-NORD DU CAMEROUN [ AGROGENETIC DIVERSITY OF LOCAL CULTIVARS OF COWPEA (VIGNA UNGUICULATA) IN THE FAR-NORTH REGION OF CAMEROON ]

For improvement in cowpea production in Cameroon, the notice of diversity markers within traditional cowpea varieties are necessary. This study aims to identify the markers of agronomical and morphological diversity related to the production of local cowpea cultivars in the Far North Cameroon. 215 local cultivars were collected in the main cowpea production areas. Classifications of these cultivars were carried out based on the morphological characteristics of the seeds and phenotypic characteristics of plant cultivars. This work has confirmed the presence of a high diversity of seeds and cultivars. It appears that 6 phenotypical features of seeds and 5 morphotypical features of plants are critical in cowpea diversity. Late morphotypes (52.31%) and crawling (63.07%) plants with globular shape (57.04%) and white color (87.85%) of seeds are the most cultivated and the most diverse in the region. Cultivars of the Mayo-Sava locality have a significant up rate (64.15 %) and the highest yield of dry seeds (284.68 Kg / Ha) followed by those from Diamare locality (143.11 Kg / Ha). The reaction of cultivars to diseases is too complex because the resistant and susceptible cultivars are present in all localities. Fungal diseases mostly affect cowpea plants in the region as well as insects causing leaves damages. In order to improve and increase the production of this legume, source of economic income, the selection of early growth high-yielding cultivars that are resistant to diseases and insects and preferable by the population turn to be essential. These cultivars can be popularized to increase the cowpea production in the Far-North region.