The efficacy of harvest time modification and intercropping as methods of reducing the field infestation of cowpeas by storage bruchids in Kenya

Abstract

A study was carried out in Eastern Province, Kenya to evaluate whether the harvesting of cowpeas at different times and intercropping with maize were effective in reducing field infestation by storage bruchids. Cowpea seed harvested very late (4 weeks after the recommended harvest time) was infested by storage bruchids to a significantly greater extent than cowpeas harvested early or at the recommended harvest time. The intercropping experiments showed that bruchid infestation was significantly reduced in the intercropped cowpeas. These results are discussed in view of the current cowpea farming systems in Kenya.