Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) for food security: an evaluation of end-user traits of improved varieties in Swaziland

dc.creatorGondwe, T.
dc.creatorAlamu, Emmanuel Oladeji
dc.creatorMdziniso, P.
dc.creatorMaziya-Dixon, B.B.
dc.date2019-11-05
dc.date2019-11-14T15:44:55Z
dc.date2019-11-14T15:44:55Z
dc.date.accessioned2026-06-27T16:09:30Z
dc.descriptionImproved varieties have agronomic advantages over local varieties,but not much attention has been given to understand the nutritional content of the improved cowpea varieties released in Swaziland. This study investigated the physical and nutritional properties of improved cowpea varieties released in Swaziland. Five improved varieties (IT-04K-321-2, IT-97K-390-2, IT-18, IT-16, and IT-99K-494-6) and one local variety (Mtilane, as check) were analyzed for physical and chemical properties. The results showed that there were variations in seed weight as the values ranged between 12.5 and 18.5 g per 100 g seed weight. The protein content ranged from 25.38% to 27.56% with no significant difference (P < 0.05) between the improved varieties and the local variety, ash content ranged between 3.47 and 6.84%, crude fiber was between 5.81 and 15.08%, and carbohydrate ranged from 45.64 to 57.12%. Contents of calcium ranged from 9 to 36 mg/100 g and of iron from 2.0 to 2.4 mg/kg, with significant differences (P < 0.05) between the varieties with highest and the lowest values. Zinc content ranged from 7 mg/kg to 8 mg/kg, with no significant difference (P >0.05) among the varieties. The improved varieties have high seed weight, which is an essential factor that farmers consider when choosing a variety to adopt. In terms of addressing nutritional security, the crop is suitable for addressing protein-energy malnutrition and formulating blends for baby foods in Swaziland.
dc.formatapplication/pdf
dc.identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/105741
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/124110
dc.languageen
dc.publisherSpringer
dc.rightsOpen Access
dc.sourceGondwe, T., Alamu, E.O., Mdziniso, P. & Maziya-Dixon, B. (2019). Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) for food security: an evaluation of end-user traits of improved varieties in Swaziland. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 1-6.
dc.subjectcowpeas
dc.subjectfood security
dc.subjectevaluation
dc.subjectdrought tolerance
dc.subjectsoil
dc.subjectgrain
dc.subjectyields
dc.subjectnutritional requirements
dc.titleCowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) for food security: an evaluation of end-user traits of improved varieties in Swaziland
dc.typeJournal Article

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