Biotech Updates

Improved Cowpea Varieties In Nigeria's Savanna Region

April 23, 2010

Two new cowpea varieties IT89KD-288 (now SAMPEA-11) and IT89KD-391 (now SAMPEA-12), developed by scientists working at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria have been released to Nigerian farmers. The varieties are superior over the current improved lines as well as possessing other traits that could overcome the problems in growing cowpea. IT89KD-288 has large white seeds, a rough seed coat and resistance to septoria leaf spot, scab, bacterial blight and nematodes, and tolerance to Nigeria's strain of Striga gesnerioides (a parasitic weed that severely lowers yield). IT89KD-391 (now SAMPEA-12) has medium-to-large brown seeds and a rough seed coat preferred for commercial production in northeast Nigeria.

The varieties were developed in collaboration with the Institute for Agricultural Research of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, the University of Maiduguri, Borno, and the Agricultural Development Programs of Borno, Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina States.

For more details, see the press release at http://www.iita.org/cms/details/news_feature_details.aspx?articleid=3488&zoneid=342