ARS | Publication request: 'GREEN DIXIE BLACKEYE', A GREEN COTYLEDON, BLACKEYE-TYPE SOUTHERNPEA

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 28, 2000
Publication Date: August 1, 2001
Citation: Fery, R.L. 2002. 'Green Dixie Blackeye', a green cotyledon, blackeye-type southernpea. Hortscience. 36(5):842.

Technical Abstract: The USDA has released a blackeye-type southernpea cultivar that is homozygous for the gc gene conditioning the green cotyledon trait. The new cultivar, named Green Dixie Blackeye, can be harvested at dry stage maturity without loss of the pea's fresh green color. Green Dixie Blackeye originated as a bulk of an F9 Bettergro Blackeye x Bettergreen population grown in 1994. Green Dixie Blackeye has a high, bushy plant habit. It produces dry pods at Charleston, S.C., in about 71 days, 9 days later than Bettergro Blackeye. The oblong shape of dry Green Dixie Blackeye peas is quite similar to the shape of dry Bettergro Blackeye peas. Green Dixie Blackeye peas have a smooth seed coat and are somewhat larger than Bettergro Blackeye peas (weight per 100 dry peas: Green Dixie Blackeye, 15.6 g; and Bettergro Blackeye, 14.4 g). The results of replicated trials conducted at Charleston, S.C., indicate that the yield potential of Green Dixie Blackeye is much greater than that of Bettergro Blackeye. Dry pea yields of Green Dixie Blackeye were 116% and 151% of the Bettergro Blackeye yields in 1997 and 1998, respectively. Green Dixie Blackeye is the first blackeye-type southernpea to be released that exhibits the green cotyledon phenotype. It is recommended for use by home gardeners and the dry-pack bean industry.