Genetic base and origin of cytoplasmic genes of Brazilian cowpea cultivars
Marcos Garreto Meireles, Edson Ferreira da Silva, Elizabeth Ann Veasey, Marcos Vinícius Bohrer Monteiro Siqueira and Wellington Ferreira do Nascimento
Abstract: The expansion of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) crop has created new demands for its breeding programs. Knowledge of its genetic base is fundamental for choosing progenitors when conducting crosses. This study aimed to estimate the genetic base of Brazilian cowpea cultivars released between 1960 and 2022, in addition to identifying the origin of their cytoplasmic genes. Seventy-three cultivars were released in this period; however, only 41 had information about their original crosses. The ancestors CNC0434, Pitiúba and Seridó were used more frequently in crosses. They have also contributed with the highest frequency to the cultivars’ cytoplasmic genes. Therefore, although we found that between 2005 and 2022 there was a 30.95% increase in the contribution of different genotypes, we conclude that the genetic base of cowpea is narrow, and it is necessary to avoid crosses involving CNC0434, Pitiúba and Seridó in future breeding programs of this legume in Brazil.