ARS | Publication request: DEVELOPMENT OF DUAL-PURPOSE COWPEA [VIGNA UNGUICULATA (L.) WALP.] CULTIVARS FOR PRODUCTION OF BOTH SNAPS AND FRESH-SHELL PEAS

Submitted to: Abstract of International Horticultural Congress
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 1, 2002
Publication Date: August 1, 2002
Citation: Fery, R.L., Buckley, B., Marsh, D.B. 2002. Development of dual-purpose cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] cultivars for production of both snaps and fresh-shell peas. Abstract of International Horticultural Congress, pg 433.

Technical Abstract: The cowpea has a long history of use in the U.S. as a vegetable crop. Traditionally, home gardeners and farmers in the southern United States have grown cowpeas to produce fresh-shell peas and immature, fresh pods or snaps. One of the objectives of the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Louisiana State University AgCenter (LSU AgCenter) cowpea breeding programs is the development of a dual-purpose cultivar that can be used to produce both snaps and fresh-shell peas. Current efforts are directed toward incorporating the superior yield and seed characteristics of Asian "vegetable cowpea" lines into American snap-type cowpeas. Results of replicated field tests conducted over the past five years indicate that our effort to develop a high-yielding, dual-purpose cultivar is nearing completion. The breeding line US-905 has been identified as a candidate for release as a cultivar. This breeding line produces excellent yields of fresh snaps that can be harvested by a mechanical, reel-type, snap-bean harvester. The mature-green pods are long, exhibit an attractive yellow color, and are extremely easy to hand shell. Fresh-shell peas are cream colored and kidney shaped. US-905 has considerable potential for use by market gardeners to produce snaps, mature-green pods, and fresh-shell peas for sale in farmers' markets.