Optimizing Drought-Resistant Cowpea Cultivar Selection Mediated by Silicon Supplementation Using TOPSIS Tool

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is an essential food in many arid regions of developing countries. However, its cultivation is threatened by climate change. Silicon (Si) fertilization has been used to reduce environmental stress impact. However, it is necessary to investigate how various plant cultivars treated with Si perform under drought stress conditions. Here, we develop and evaluate a computational model for selecting cowpea cultivars that are more tolerant to water deficit across different Si concentrations. This computational model integrates two mathematical methodologies: the Manhattan distance and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to analyze cowpea cultivar performance across various conditions, aiding in identifying the best-suited cultivars for different climates. Data from a factorial experiment (3 × 3 × 4) were evaluated, covering three cowpea cultivars (BRS Novaera, BRS Tumucumaque, and BRS Xiquexique), three water regimes (well-irrigated control at 75