# Genetic Heterogeneity in Cowpea Genotypes (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) Using DArTseq (GBS)-Derived Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms

## TL;DR

This study used a modern DNA sequencing method to analyze genetic diversity in 92 cowpea varieties, identifying several that are genetically distinct and potentially useful for breeding.

## Contribution

The study introduces a cost-effective DArTseq-based SNP analysis to assess genetic heterogeneity in cowpea genotypes for breeding applications.

## Key findings

- Five cowpea genotypes (TVU 9596, Orelu, 90K-284-2, RV 403, RV 498) were identified as genetically heterogeneous.
- Key genetic diversity metrics like polymorphic information content and heterozygosity were calculated for the genotypes.
- The results can support breeding programs and germplasm management for cowpeas.

## Abstract

Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) have been credible constituents of nutritious food and forage in human and animal diets since the Neolithic era. The modern technique of Diversity Array Technology (DArTseq) is both cost-effective and rapid in producing thousands of high-throughputs, genotyped, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in wide-genomic analyses of genetic diversity. The aim of this study was to assess the heterogeneity in cowpea genotypes using DArTseq-derived SNPs. A total of 92 cowpea genotypes were selected, and their fourteen-day-old leaves were freeze-dried for five days. DNA was extracted using the CTAB protocol, genotyped using DArTseq, and analysed using DArTsoft14. A total of 33,920 DArTseq-derived SNPs were recalled for filtering analysis, with a final total of 16,960 SNPs. The analyses were computed using vcfR, poppr, and ape in R Studio v1.2.5001-3 software. The heatmap revealed that the TVU 9596 (SB26), Orelu (SB72), 90K-284-2 (SB55), RV 403 (SB17), and RV 498 (SB16) genotypes were heterogenous. The mean values for polymorphic information content, observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity, major allele frequency, and the inbreeding coefficient were 0.345, 0.386, 0.345, 0.729, and 0.113, respectively. Moreover, they validated the diversity of the evaluated cowpea genotypes, which could be used for potential breeding programmes and management of cowpea germplasm.