Lack of isozyme similarity between Vigna unguiculata and other species of subgenus Vigna (Leguminosae)

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Abstract
The cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is an important crop of tropical Africa, Asia, and South America. However, the relationship between the cowpea and other species of subg. Vigna is relatively unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the genetic distance among species of subg. Vigna using isozymes. Twenty-four populations of the cowpea species and 39 populations from 10 other species (at least one species per section of subgenus Vigna) were sampled. Nei's genetic distance was calculated from allelic frequencies at 26 isozyme loci. UPGMA cluster analysis was performed. The range of genetic distance among species of subg. Vigna (0.41 – 2.69) was greater than previously reported in most plant genera. Three clusters of species were apparent. The first cluster included three species of sect. Vigna (V. luteola, V. oblongifolia, and V. subterranea (the Bambara groundnut)). The second cluster grouped together sections Liebrechtsia and Macrodontae. The third cluster included V. unguiculata, V. reticulata, and V. vexillata. The distances between species of this cluster were large and of similar size in all combinations (range from 0.92 to 0.95). None of the species included in this survey can be called a close relative of V. unguiculata. Key words: Vigna, cowpea, isozymes, genetic distances.

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