Morphological seed diversity and viability of Moroccan cowpea landraces (Vigna unguiculata l. Walp.) conserved by farmers

Abstract

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is an important food crop, renowned for its nutritional quality and resilience to harsh climatic conditions. In Morocco, this legume remains a marginal crop, which threatens the conservation of its local genetic resources. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate germination capacity, assess morphological diversity, and examine patterns of variation and correlations between these traits in nineteen traditional cowpea populations collected across Morocco, using seven germination parameters and twelve morphological traits. Results revealed significant variability within and between populations for both germination and seed morphological traits. Most populations exhibited high germination capacity and rapid germination rates, indicating an almost complete absence of dormancy. Seed morphological traits showed substantial intra- and inter-population variability, reflecting high phenotypic richness. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified four distinct population clusters, suggesting that the spatial structuring results from a combined effect of differentiation in morphological and germination traits, further influenced by geographical connectivity. Overall, these findings highlight the remarkable richness of Morocco’s local cowpea genetic resources, offering valuable insights for conservation and breeding programs to support food security and sustainable agriculture.