A total of 85 cowpea accessions were investigated for genetic diversity and population structure using 18 284 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In this study, only 51 % of the SNPs were polymorphic across the 85 accessions. The genetic distance, estimated based on Nei’s index among genotypes, ranged from 0.14 to 0.44, with a mean value of 0.35. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.024 to 0.50, with a mean value of 0.25. Twenty-six percent of the SNPs had genetic diversity values greater than 0.40, suggesting that the genotypes were highly genetically diversified. A high gene flow of 4.89 was observed between Zimbabwean and South African accessions, indicating a high germplasm exchange among these neighbouring countries. The analysis of molecular variance revealed a highly significant variation (P < 0.001) among individual accessions and low variation within individuals. The accessions showed significant (P < 0.001) levels of differentiation among geographic regions. Cluster analysis of the 85 accessions generated by the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clustered the accessions into three groups. Accessions with great potential can be selected and further improved for cultivation.
DArTseq, genetic diversity, single nucleotide polymorphism, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.
Nkomo, G.V., Sedibe M.M., Mofokeng, M.A., Assefa, A.B.A. (2022): Investigation of Genetic Diversity Among Cowpea Accessions Using Diversity Arrays Technology Sequencing (DArTseq) Technique. Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica, 53, 11-21. DOI: 10.7160/sab.2022.530102