An overview on the Taxonomy, Distribution, Production and Economic Importance of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp).
Main Article Content
Keywords
Cowpea, taxonomy, production, distribution, cultivation
Abstract
Vigna unguiculata L. Walp (cowpea) is a significant crop resistant to drought grown in arid and semi-arid regions globally. It is a source of nutrients for humans through the consumption of its leaves as a vegetable or the utilisation of the grains. Livestock farmers in sub-Saharan Africa use cowpea leaves as animal fodder because they are rich in proteins. The cowpeas are genetically varied, comprising cultivated and wild forms. During the process of domestication, cowpeas have undergone significant phenotypic alterations from the native progenitor, such as longer flowering times, decreased pod breaking, and larger organ size. In this review, an extensive and in-depth literature search on cowpea was done on relevant sources, and the search information regarding the taxonomy and nomenclature of cowpea, the origin and geographical distribution of cowpea, the cultivation and production of cowpea, and the importance of cowpea was noted. Cowpea has undergone extensive classification and taxonomy over the years so as to differentiate between wild and domesticated cultivars. There has been a general agreement that cowpeas belong to the botanical species Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., which formerly had more than twenty synonyms, including V. cylindrical, V. sinensis, V. catjang, Dolichos sinensis, and Dolichos unguilculata. There exists a great diversity in both wild and domesticated cultivars. Due to the great deal of variability in cowpea in Asia and Africa, its exact origin has been of great debate with no conclusive agreement. Cowpea cultivation is done in Asia, North America, South America, and sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for approximately 95% of the land under cowpea globally. Cowpea production plays a significant role in nutrition, income generation, and food security, making it valuable for households and communities globally.
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Nov 23, 2024
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Kirarei , E. K., Kipsumbai , P. K., Jeruto , P., & Kiprop , E. K. (2024). An overview on the Taxonomy, Distribution, Production and Economic Importance of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp). Journal of Crops, Livestock and Pest Management, 2(3), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.69897/joclipm.v2i3.170
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Author Biographies
Ezra K. Kirarei , Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, University of Eldoret, Kenya
Pixley K. Kipsumbai , Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, University of Eldoret, Kenya
Pascaline Jeruto , Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, University of Eldoret, Kenya
Ezekiel K. Kiprop , Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, University of Eldoret, Kenya