Search in the available cowpea germplasm for sources of resistance to the common pod-sucking bugs Riptortus dentipes (F.) and Anoplocnemis curvipes (F.).

Abstract

In trials at Ibadan, Nigeria, and Kikambala, Kenya, none of the 4180 Vigna unguiculata cultivars screened were highly resistant in the field, although 33 were moderately resistant to both pests, sustaining 20-39% pod damage. Field trials involving these 33 showed that, in general, purple and dark-green-podded cultivars were more resistant than those with light green pods. Feeding punctures, which were taken as indicators of feeding preference, varied significantly (P = 0.05) among 9 moderately resistant cultivars. Tvu. 4049 had the fewest punctures. Peduncle length was highly correlated (r = 0.89) with damaged seeds/pod, indicating that cultivars with short peduncles were more resistant than those with long.