Genetic Manipulation of the Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) for Enhanced Resistance to Fungal Pathogens and Insect Pests

Abstract

The cowpea plant (Vigna unguiculata ) is a herbaceous annual with habits ranging from determinate to completely indeterminate types. This chapter reviews the genetic manipulation of the cowpea for enhanced resistance to fungal pathogens and insect pests. The dramatic gains in cowpea productivity during the past several years have been largely attributable to advances made in the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Grain Legume Improvement Program. This period witnessed the development and release of improved cowpea varieties fortified with genes for multiple resistances to diseases and pests and that possess significantly higher yield capacities. Moreover these varieties enjoy considerably high levels of consumer acceptance. The challenges of the tropical environment, the habitat of most of the world's cowpeas, necessitate a continual release of cowpea varieties in the newly evolving races and strains of fungal pathogens and insect pests as well as other environmental vagaries.