Differential Susceptibility of Some Cowpea Varieties to Field Infestation by Insect Pests in Mubi Region of Sudan Savannah Ecological Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: To assess the comparative susceptibility of five cowpea varieties to field insect pest infestation. Study Design: The design used for this study is the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in which the varieties are the treatments and were replicated four times (4x). Place and Duration of the Study: Study was carried out in 2011 cropping season (15th July- 15th November) at Adamawa State University Research and Teaching Farm Mubi. Methodology: Data were collected on days to 50% flowering, days to 50% pod setting, days to 50%pod maturity, mean number of flower producing pods, mean number of surviving pods, mean number of healthy pods produced and the total output per variety/cultivar. Results: The result revealed that Iron beans had the least degree of susceptibility to field pest infestation and correspondingly recorded the highest yield of 2144g/plot and 1.34 metric ton ha-1. While the highest degree of susceptibility was recorded with Samira which gave a yield of 728g/plot which is equivalent to a projected yield of 0.455 metric tone ha-1. Four species of insects were also found on the plots. Conclusion: It could be concluded that Iron beans and BOSADP cultivars have demonstrated the least level of susceptibility to field pest infestation, hence relatively more resistant to field pest attack. Therefore, Iron beans and BOSADP due to their low susceptibility to field pest infestations   gave higher yield per plot when compared to other varieties. They could therefore be varieties of choice for cultivation in this locality.