Journal of Environmental Biology

Evaluation of heat tolerance in cowpea genotypes for sustained productivity under high temperatures

K. Prakash¹*, H.G. Praveen², K.S. Shashidhara³, H. Manjunatha⁴, M.S.P. Kanavi⁵, S.T. Bhairappanavar⁶, K.M. Adarsh¹ and R. Abhishree⁷     

¹Department of Crop Physiology, College of Agriculture, Karekere, Hassan-573 225, India

²Department of Crop Physiology, Enlighten  Agrotech India Pvt. Ltd., Agri Incubation Centre, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore-560 065,India

³Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agricultre, VC Farm Mandya-571 405, India

⁴Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Karekere, Hassan-573 225, India

⁵Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Karekere, Hassan-573 225, India

⁶Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Karekere, Hassan-573 225, India

⁷Department of Crop Physiology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore-560 065, India

Received: 29 January 2025                   Revised: 28 March 2025                   Accepted: 28 May 2025

*Corresponding Author Email : prakashk.coa@gmail.com                  *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7613-4167

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate heat tolerance in cowpea genotypes under high-temperature and identify thermotolerant genotypes that can sustain productivity in environments with temperatures exceeding 35°C.

Methodology: A total of 191 cowpea genotypes were screened for yield attributes at two locations, Bangalore and Raichur, which differed in temperature exposure. Heat stress effects on different physiological traits were measured and contrasting genotypes were further assessed using the temperature induction response (TIR) approach.

Results: Significant reductions in total dry matter and yield traits were observed at high-temperature location, Raichur. However, heat-tolerant genotypes exhibited minimal reduction in total dry matter and root length. Ten genotypes, including IC-402172, EC-458453 and NBC-21, demonstrated consistent thermotolerance at both field and cellular levels.

Interpretation: The study identified specific cowpea genotypes that can tolerate high temperatures up to 35^°C without significant loss in productivity, providing valuable candidates for crop improvement.

Key words: Cow pea, Heat stress, Temperature induction response, Thermotolerance

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