Olunloyo, Akinrinade AkanniOgunjinmi, Samson OguntolaOlla, Noah Olugbemiga2026-09-252026-09-252026-09-032784-0379https://repository.iuls.ro/handle/20.500.12811/7035This study evaluated generation mean performance, used single marker analysis (SMA) to determine associations between pigmentation and yield traits, and estimated mid- and better-parent heterosis in F₂ phenotypic classes from a cross between TVu1 and Ibadan BPC performed in an insect-proof screenhouse at the Department of Agricultural Technology, Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Nigeria, using a randomised complete block design with three replications. The parents, F₁, and 300 F₂ plants were grown in 10-L pots and spaced with 60 cm between rows and 45 cm within rows. Two seeds were sown per pot and thinned to one plant. Self-pollination was ensured using pollination bags. The following traits were measured: days to flowering, pod length, number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight, yield, and pigmentation scores. SMA was performed using one-way analysis of variance, and heterosis was estimated using ttests. Pigmentation classes were significantly associated with yield traits. Pigmented plants flowered earlier (47.56 days) and had longer pods (13.14 cm) and heavier seeds (11.05 g) than non-pigmented plants (53.10 days, 12.34 cm, and 10.71 g, respectively). Purple plants flowered earlier (44.10 days), produced more seeds per pod (11.41), and had a higher 100-seed weight (8.66 g) than white plants (46.29 days, 11.26 seeds, and 8.64 g, respectively). Immature pod pigmentation favoured earlier flowering (45.24 days), longer pods (13.33 cm), more seeds (12.00), and heavier seeds (10.15 g). Heterosis showed positive mid- and better-parent effects for 100-seed weight (35.05–45.68%). Pigmented classes showed superior performance for morphological marker selection in cowpea improvement.EnglishAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0anthocyanin pigmentationcowpeaF2 generationheterosismorphological markersingle marker analysisyield componentsArticle2784-0360https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-592214