Classification of cowpea cultivars for field resistance to the legume pod borer, Muruca testulalis in Nigeria using cluster analysis

Cluster analysis was used to classify cowpea cultivars developed for resistance to M. testulalis in Nigeria based on data collected on four damage parameters. The cultivars were grouped into classes for each of two locations under two protection regimes. Differences were observed in the groupings for the two locations while one cultivar, MR×6–84F was found to have wide adaptability in the presence or absence of M. testulalis infestation. This is particularly useful for the selection of breeding materials in cultivar improvement for specific or general ecological zones.