The pattern of inheritance of flower colour in cowpea was studied using varieties of contrasting pigmentation in flower parts. Hybridization experiments were conducted in the screen house and segregating (F2 and F3) and non-segregating populations (parents and F1) were raised in the field. Observations were made on flower parts including calyx, standard petal, standard back line, wing petal and light purple wing pigmentations. Data obtained were subjected to chi square test to determine the number of genes controlling each trait. The findings of the study indicated that pigmentation is dominant over nonpigmentation and monogenic inheritance was observed for standard back line pigmentation. Calyx, standard petal and wing pigmentations followed two patterns of inheritance (monogenicity and digenicity) while the gene controlling light purple wing showed independent action. The calyx locus was found to be pleiotropic over the standard back line.

Key words: Inheritance, flower colour, cowpea, monogenicity, and digenicity.