Genomic Tools in Cowpea Breeding Programs: Status and Perspectives.

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Breeding
• Genetics

Background:

• Cowpea is a crucial legume in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), supporting farmer livelihoods through nutrition, income, and soil health.
• Low productivity in cowpea is caused by abiotic stresses (drought, poor fertility, heat) and biotic constraints (insects, diseases, weeds, nematodes).
• Limited access to quality seeds of improved varieties hinders cowpea farmers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the progress and potential of molecular genetic tools in cowpea improvement.
• To discuss the integration of conventional and molecular breeding strategies for faster variety development.
• To emphasize the role of advanced breeding techniques in enhancing cowpea production and productivity in SSA.

Main Methods:

• Development of cowpea genetic linkage maps and identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for desirable traits.
• Conversion of mapped single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) into KASP assays for genotyping.
• Implementation of marker-assisted recurrent selection (MARS) and marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC) in breeding programs.

Main Results:

• Advances in genetic mapping have identified QTLs for resistance to various stresses like Striga, Fusarium wilt, and nematodes.
• Development of an improved consensus genetic linkage map and SNP genotyping workflows.
• Successful application of molecular breeding strategies to accelerate cowpea variety improvement.

Conclusions:

• Combining conventional and molecular breeding approaches, managed through systems like the CGIAR Breeding Management System (BMS), is key to accelerating cowpea improvement.
• These integrated strategies promise to increase the availability of improved cowpea varieties for farmers.
• Enhanced cowpea production and productivity in SSA can be achieved through sustained investment in advanced breeding technologies.