Abstract
Loss of foliage in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L] Walp) as a result of field physiological disorders and/or diseases is detrimental to the growth and development of the crop in both tropical and sub-tropical areas. Field studies on effects of defoliation in cowpea were conducted at the University for Development Studies, Tamale in Northern Ghana during the 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons. Four cowpea varieties, namely Songotra, Padituya, Binaaba and Sanzi were subjected to the following five levels of defoliation: 0 %, 25 %, 50 %, 75 % and 100 %. The treatment combinations were replicated three times in randomised complete block design. Results indicated that the varieties differed from each other in terms of vegetative growth and yield responses to defoliation. The overall best grain yielder was Padituya whilst Binaaba was the poorest in terms of grain yield. Up to 50 % defoliation of any of the four varieties was not observed to be detrimental to growth and grain production. Keywords : Cowpea Varieties, Experimental Defoliation, Growth, Grain Yield
Highlights
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L] walp) is a major staple food crop grown in subSaharan Africa, especially in the dry savannah regions of West Africa
Variety Binaaba was the best genotype in terms of leaf production but was the poorest in terms of seed and/ or grain yield
Even though Binaaba was the best leaf producer, the high leaf production of this genotype did not reflect in its grain production
Summary
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L] walp) is a major staple food crop grown in subSaharan Africa, especially in the dry savannah regions of West Africa. Cowpea plays a critical role in the lives of millions of people in Africa and other parts of the world. According to IITA (2007), about 7.6 million tonnes of cowpea are produced annually on about 12.8 million hectares of land worldwide. Cowpea contains 20-25 % of protein, about twice the protein content of most cereals. The leaves, immature pods and seeds are all used as food, and this is an indication that when the crop is given a careful attention, it would be able to support 850 million people in the world, and the high incidence of undernourishment in sub-Saharan Africa would reduce (FAO, 2006)
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