Cowpea (vigna Unguiculata (l.) Walp.) (fabaceae) Landrace Diversity In Northen Ethiopia

The study was carried out to identify and document the landrace diversity and ethnobotany ofrncowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) (Fabaceae) in northern Ethiopia. Ethnobotanical datarnwere collected using semi-structured interview, field observations (guided field walk) and marketrnsurveys. A total of 54 germplasms and representative voucher specimens were collected fromrndifferent geographical locations ranging in altitude from 1260 – 2140 m.a.s.l. Of these, 45 werernlocal farmers’ varieties (83%) and nine were commercial varieties (17%) introduced by MelkassarnAgricultural Research Centre. The majority of farmers (75%) preferred the erect type of cowpearn(Vigna unguiculata subsp. cylindrica (L.) Verdc. farmers’ variety KIMITE and subsp. cylindricarn(L.) Verdc. farmers’ variety CHEKELE) because of many reasons such as ability of the crop to bernharvested before the cereal crops are ready, high grain and straw yield, organoleptic character,rnearly maturity, feed value, adaptability to all types of soil, disease resistance, drought tolerancernand market value. The spreading type of cowpea (subsp. unguiculata farmers’ variety JERGADIE)rnproduced much more leaves than grains and mainly the farmers use it for improving soil fertility.rnThese local farmers’ varieties contribute to smallholders’ income as a higher-value crop likerncereals and to diet as a cost effective source of protein intake especially in Central Tigray, SouthrnWello and Oromia Special Zones of northern Ethiopia. In Amhara Region, cowpea is mainly usedrnfor human food in the form of boiled grain (NIFRO), baking bread (KITA) and sauces (SHIRO WET).rnThere is high potential area for cowpea production; but the actual production by local farmers isrnrestricted to some areas. Therefore, the responsible body (Ministry of Agriculture and EthiopianrnInstitute of Agricultural Research) needs to enhance and/or distribute the important cowpearnlandrace varieties to the areas where the crop can be suitably grown.rnKey words: Cowpea, Ethiopia, ethnobotany, farmers’ knowledge, landrace

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