SummaryComparative analysis of preferences and key criteria for selecting cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) varieties was conducted using the data collected from farmers’ participatory varietal selection (FPVS) activities conducted over 3 years with a total of 2401 farmers (1230 male and 1171 female) in 13 villages in Tougouri department in northern region and Tiéfora department in southern region of Burkina Faso in West Africa. Over the 3 years, farmer criteria for variety selection remained basically stable, but some variations among the regions and years were noticed. Grain yield was the most common and the most important criterion for farmers’ choice in both regions. Farmers in Tougouri (north) put more emphasis on early maturity (90%) and drought resistance (19.7%) as selection criteria than farmers in Tiéfora (south). Farmers in Tiéfora placed statistically significant importance on seed colour and plant type, while farmers in Tougouri did not, and for these selection criteria, there were only slight differences between genders in both areas. Results of stepwise multiple regression indicated that maturity and seed colour in the north, and seed size and seed colour in the south were the most important selection factors for farmers to select cowpea varieties. Improved varieties should have sufficiently good yield to be accepted, but other favoured traits may differ by target region as a reflection of local and regional market demands as well as deep-rooted cultural preferences. Understanding local and regional differences in selection criteria for cowpea varieties is necessary to improve the acceptance of newly released improved varieties. Preferences identified in the participatory activities could inform further development of cowpea breeding strategies for north and south regions of Burkina Faso.

中文翻译：

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布基纳法索南北地区农民豇豆品种选择标准特征差异

摘要选择豇豆的偏好和关键标准对比分析（豇豆L. Walp。位于西非布基纳法索南部地区。3年来，农户选种标准基本保持稳定，但地区、年份间存在一定差异。粮食产量是两个地区农民选择的最常见和最重要的标准。Tougouri（北部）的农民比 Tiéfora（南部）的农民更重视早熟（90%）和抗旱性（19.7%）作为选择标准。Tiéfora 的农民在统计上非常重视种子颜色和植物类型，而 Tougouri 的农民没有，而且对于这些选择标准，两个地区的性别之间只有轻微的差异。逐步多元回归结果表明，北方的成熟度和种子颜色，南方的种子大小和种子颜色是农民选择豇豆品种的最重要的选择因素。改良品种应具有足够好的产量以被接受，但其他受青睐的性状可能因目标地区而异，这反映了当地和区域市场需求以及根深蒂固的文化偏好。了解豇豆品种选择标准的地方和区域差异对于提高新发布的改良品种的接受度是必要的。