The Korean Journal of Crop Science ISSN:0252-9777(Print) 2287-8432(Online) 한국작물학회지

The purpose of this study was to establish the optimal growth temperature and to select genetic resources for production of cowpea sprouts. Seowon was treated between 15°C and 30°C at intervals of 3°C to investigate growth temperature. Twelve resources, including Seowon, IT154149, IT154153, Tvu7426, and Tvu7778, were used for cultivating sprouts at a temperature of 27°C. The yield ratio of cowpea sprouts was highest at 27°C (657%), and was reduced when growth temperature was decreased. The hard seed rate was lower when the growth temperature was increased. Vitamin C content was highest at 24°C (2.85 mg/g), ranged between 2.15 and 2.29 mg/g at other growth temperatures, and increased with the length of the growth period. The inorganic component content of cowpea sprouts did not vary based on growth temperature, while the amino acid content increased with increasing growth temperature between 15°C and 24°C, and then subsequently decreased as growth temperature rose from 24°C to 30°C. IT154153 had the highest yield ratio of cowpea sprouts per genetic resource (647%), followed by Seowon (615%), and Tvu7426 (608%). Genetic resources with a higher yield ratio had smaller seeds, a thinner seed coat, and superior germinability. The inorganic components found at highest concentrations in the cowpea sprouts were potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron, molybdenum, and zinc (in that order). In comparison to raw seeds, the protein, calcium, zinc, molybdenum, and iron content in the cowpea sprouts was higher, while the content of aluminum and boron was lower.