Cowpea is a major staple food crop in the dry savanna region of sub-Saharan Africa, and a major source of plant proteins and vitamins for man and feed for animals. Over the years, IITA breeders have developed improved high yielding, early maturing drought tolerant varieties which has helped boost farmers’ yield and productivity. IITA GoSeed produces and sells early generation cowpea seeds to top seed companies in and outside of Nigeria.
Improved Cowpea Varieties Offered by IITA GoSeed
VARIETY: IT07K-318-33
ECOLOGY: Sudan Savannah and Sahelian agro-ecologies
OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Early maturity, tolerant to Striga and drought resistant to Alectra
COLOUR: Brown
Maturity: Early
VARIETY: IT99K-573-2-1
ECOLOGY: Northern Guinea Savanna
OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS:Multiple disease resistance especially Fusarium wilt, drought tolerance, Striga and Alectra resistance
COLOUR: White
Maturity: Early
VARIETY: UAM09 1055-6 (FUAMPEA 1)
ECOLOGY: Sudan Savannah and Sahelian agro-ecologies
OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS:Tolerant to drought, resistant to Striga.
COLOUR: White
Maturity: Early (60-65 days)
VARIETY: UAM09 1051-1 (FUAMPEA 2)
ECOLOGY: Sudan and Northern Guinea Savannah
OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS:Short cooking time, resistant to Striga. Good for intercropping
COLOUR:Brown
Maturity: Medium (70-75 days)
VARIETY: IT89KD-288 (SAMPEA 11)
ECOLOGY: Northern Guinea Savannah
OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS:Resistant to nematodes and good for intercropping
COLOUR: Brown
Maturity: Late (80-85 days)
VARIETY: IT07K-292-10 (SAMPEA 16)
ECOLOGY: Northern Guinea Savanna
OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS: Tolerant to drought
COLOUR: White
Maturity: Early (65-70 days)
IITA GoSeed cowpea demonstration field
Cowpea production field at vegetative stage
