Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 March 2009
Two gene markers were observed among cowpea breeding lines in Ibadan, Nigeria. One is the swollen stem base which is due to a larger quantity of phloem parenchyma in the bottom part of the stem below the first primary leaf than in the normal stem. It is inherited as a simple dominant trait and the symbol Sw is suggested. The other is the hastate-leaf which is expressed as extremely narrow trifoliate compared with the normal. It is inherited as a simple dominant trait and the symbol Ha is suggested. Dominance may not be complete in both cases as variable expressions of the marker genes were observed in F2. The effects of the marker genes on yield and other characters are currently being investigated.