PHYSICAL AND BROMATOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF COWPEA VARIETIES PREFERRED BY Callosobruchus maculatus (COLEOPTERA: BRUCHIDAE) 1

Glauce Portela De Oliveira,Dryelle Sifuentes Pallaoro,Ândrea Carla Dalmolin,Elisangela Clarete Camili

doi:10.1590/1983-21252018v31n229rc

Glauce Portela De Oliveira, Dryelle Sifuentes Pallaoro + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252018v31n229rc

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Cowpea is an herbaceous legume susceptible to several insects and diseases; and the beetle Callosobruchus maculatus is the main pest causing direct losses in the production of this crop. The objective of this work was to assess the physical and bromatological characteristics of beans of cowpea varieties (Bico-de-Ouro, BRS-Novaera, BRS-Guariba and BRS-Tumucumaque) preferred by C. maculatus. Adults of C. maculatus were obtained from a storage unit of cowpea beans. The physical and bromatological characteristics and attractiveness of cowpea beans to insects were evaluated in laboratory. The preferences for oviposition with no choice and attraction to cowpea beans by C. maculatus are not related to the high protein content or physical characteristics of the bean seed coat (thickness and fiber content), since the insects were more attracted to beans of the variety Bico-de-Ouro, which had low crude protein content, the thickest seed coat and high NDF content.

Highlights

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is an herbaceous legume component of the human diet in underdeveloped countries
Cowpea crops in the Cerrado biome of the Brazilian Center-West region are mainly intended for international markets, which increased the interest of agribusiness companies of other regions, contributing to open new markets for this crop (FREIRE FILHO et al, 2011)
Cowpea is susceptible to various insects and diseases caused by viruses, fungi and bacteria, and their damages can be found from sowing to the post-harvest (FREIRE FILHO; LIMA; RIBEIRO, 2005)

Summary

Introduction

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is an herbaceous legume component of the human diet in underdeveloped countries. This species is important due to the high protein content of its beans (AKANDE, 2007; FROTA; SOARES; ARÊAS, 2008). Cowpea is susceptible to various insects and diseases caused by viruses, fungi and bacteria, and their damages can be found from sowing to the post-harvest (FREIRE FILHO; LIMA; RIBEIRO, 2005). Infestation of C. maculatus can begin in the field, with females laying eggs on the surfaces of the beans. These insects are able to break the bean seed coat to reach the endosperm, from which they feed (MARSARO JÚNIOR; VILARINHO, 2011)

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