Abstract:
Transfer of resistance gene in cowpea is under
several factors making it difficult. As for
cowpea flower bud thrips, two sets of crosses
were done from two resistant (TVu 1509 and
Sanzisabinli) and one susceptible (M’barawa)
parents. The aim of this study was to determine
the mode of gene action involve in flowers bud
thrips (Megalurothrips sjostedti) resistance
control into cowpea. Six generations (P1, P2, F1,
F2, BC1P1 and BC1P2) were evaluated using
Randomized Complete Block Design under
natural infestation at three locations. Data were
recorded with parameters such as number of
adult thrips, total number of pods per plant and
damage scoring. Results revealed the
involvement of fixing and non-fixing gene effects into thrips resistance control with
additive (n), dominance (h) and additive x
dominance (j) as the modes of gene action
predominantly controlling flower bud thrips
resistance in cowpea. High to moderate broad
sense and narrow sense heritability were
recorded with most of the traits while low
narrow sense of heritability (0.22) was scored
with parameter number of peduncles per plant.
Polygenic resistance was involved to control
thrips resistance among segregating and nonsegregating populations that suggest ways to
enhance cowpea landrace resistance to flower
bud thrips attacks through classical breeding.
