Identification of a Locus Controlling Seed Pigment Leaching in Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]

Consumer preferences for cooking-related traits are a deciding factor in the success of new cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] cultivars. Pigment leaching is an undesirable trait both consumers and producers alike that occurs during cooking or canning process has been goal improvement efforts through breeding. This study leverages power bulked segregant analysis to identify locus segregating pigment-leaching F2 population blackeye seed-type cowpea. A single major was identified on Vu06 spanning 1.27 Mb, SNP haplotypes were low high bulks. However, further evaluation accessions unrelated its progenitors suggests polygenic, such leakage not determined solely by this locus. Parallels drawn between close relative, black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), suggest additional seed coat may also be involved trait.