Cowpea In Nigeria Research Articles

Cowpea Marketing and Consumption Preference in Potiskum Local Government Area of Yobe State, Nigeria

The article sought to examine cowpea marketing and consumption preference in Potiskum Local Government Area (LGA) in Yobe State, Nigeria. Yobe State is one of the major producers of Cowpea in Nigeria and there is a high level of marketing activity on Cowpea in the State. The objectives of this article are Identify the socio-economic characteristic of the respondent; determine the channels associated with cowpea marketing in the study area; examine the factors that determine the price of cowpea in Potiskum L.G.A; and determine the choice of the respondent in the use of cowpea types. Multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted to select 150 respondents. Descriptive statistics, OLS regression analysis and semantic differential scale were used as the analytical tools. Major results revealed that the market was mostly dominated by men (78. 66%), who are majorly singles (77.33%) in a household of 1 -10 persons (76. 67%) and (70%) had marketing experience of 1-10 years. The marketers are averagely educated and can read and write in Quranic and western Education. The marketing channel revealed that sales of cowpea start from the farm gate to the final consumer. The factors that affect cowpea retail price had an adjusted R2 of 72.8% with household size, source of supply and sources of loan having a positive effect on the price of a 100kg bag of cowpea. While the factors that affect wholesale price had an adjusted R2 of 66.4% with age, sources of supply, loading and offloading, sources of loan and storage having positive effects on the price of a 100 kg bag of cowpea. The Semantic Differential Scale revealed that brown cowpea was much preferred in the study area despite its high price. The article concluded that there was a free flow of information, adequate market intelligence among the market stakeholders and the business is profitable. It was recommended that an affordable storage facility should be made available to marketers, and market policy be made in the State to enhance the business profile through the improvement of transportation and market price information.

Effects of lime on soil chemical characteristics and performance of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] on Oxic Haplustalf of a derived savanna ecology of Nigeria

The use of lime in reducing acidity, increasing nodulation and grain yield of field cowpea in Nigeria had not been determined. Hence, field experiments were conducted in 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons at the Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria. The study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of lime on soil chemical characteristics, growth, nodulation, and yield of cowpea on tropical-derived savanna. The treatments in each year consisted of five levels (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 t/ha) of lime (CaCO3). The treatments were arranged in a RCBD and replicated three times. Findings showed that the application of lime improved soil chemical characteristics (pH, N, P, K, Ca, Na, Mg and CEC), growth, nodulation and yield of cowpea compared to the control. Lime application reduced acidity (H+Al3+) relative to the control. Lime increased the yield of cowpea from 0 to 2.5 t/ha after which there was a decrease. 2.5 t/ha lime increased pod weight of cowpea relative to the control by 51.2% in 2020 and 48.2% in 2021. 10 t/ha lime reduced pod weight of cowpea relative to the 2.5 t/ha by 237.62% in 2020 and 257.1% in 2021, the reduction in the yield of cowpea can best be explained by the presence of unfavourable soil pH conditions. Therefore, the optimum yield of the cowpea crop was achieved at 2.5 t/ha of lime for the agro ecological zone.

Analyses of Cowpea Grains Stored with Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) Technology in Madagali Local Government of Adamawa State, Nigeria

Cowpea is a food security crop and a main source of income for farmers in Nigeria. However, postharvest storage remains a major challenge due to insect pest attack. Infestations impose serious challenge to cowpea storage and negatively affect trade and utilization of cowpea in Nigeria. Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) technology provides effective control against these storage pests, thus, allowing farmers to tap into better grain prices during the lean season. The study analysed the gains in cowpea stored with PICS technology in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study include; determining the effect of PICS technology use on cowpea loss and to estimate the returns to cowpea stored with PICS technology. Two hundred and forty (240) respondents were identified and interviewed using networking or snowballing non-random sampling technique. The analytical tools used for the study were the gravimetric (count and weight) method and marketing margin analysis. The result of the study showed that storing with PICS technology reduced weight loss in cowpea by 16.3%, valued at N3, 450 per bag per season. The use of PICS technology gave a higher marketing margin of N11, 297.88/bag with farm-to-retail price spread of 45.5% than N8, 285.83/bag and farm-to-retail price spread of 37.8% in woven bag. The study recommends that, farmers association be used as an avenue to promote and create awareness on the economic benefits of PICS technology.

Inheritance of resistance to three endemic viral diseases of cowpea in Nigeria

ABSTRACT Mosaic diseases, caused by bean common mosaic virus-blackeye cowpea mosaic strain (BCMV-BlCM), southern bean mosaic virus (SBMV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), hamper the productivity of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.). Under single or mixed infections, these endemic viruses significantly reduce cowpea yield in sub-Saharan Africa. Planting resistant varieties is the most effective control method. Knowledge of the mode of inheritance of viral resistance is crucial in developing resistant varieties. Inheritance of resistance to BCMV-BlCM, SBMV, and CMV was investigated in two improved cowpea breeding lines. For BCMV-BICM, crosses were made between resistant IT97K-1042-3 (female) and susceptible IT99K-1060 (male); for SBMV, between resistant IT98K-1092-1 (male) and susceptible IT99K-1060 (female); and for CMV, between tolerant IT98K-1092-1 (female) and susceptible IT99K-573-1-1 (male). The F1 progenies were advanced to F2, and some F1 plants were backcrossed to the two parental lines. Reciprocal crosses were made and the 7-day-old seedlings of P1, P2, F1, F2, BCP1, and BCP2 were phenotyped by mechanical inoculation with BCMV-BlCM, SBMV, and CMV under screenhouse conditions. Data on disease incidence and severity were taken at weekly intervals for 5-week post-inoculation. Virus infections were confirmed via antigen-coated plate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Chi-square analysis of the genetic segregation indicated that a recessive gene pair in IT97K-1042-3 controlled the inheritance of resistance to BCMV-BlCM. Duplicate dominant genes conditioned the resistance to SBMV and tolerance to CMV in IT98K-1092-1. The backcrosses confirmed the monogenic and digenic inheritance patterns, whereas reciprocal crosses indicated absence of cytoplasmic effects.

Opportunities for Orphan Crops: Expected Economic Benefits From Biotechnology.

An enabling, evidence-based decision-making framework is critical to support agricultural biotechnology innovation, and to ensure farmers’ access to genetically modified (GM) crops, including orphan crop varieties. A key element, and often a challenge in the decision-making process, involves the balancing of identified potential risks with expected economic benefits from GM crops. The latter is particularly challenging in the case of orphan crops, for which solid economic data is scarce. To address this challenge, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in collaboration with local economists analyzed the expected economic benefits to farmers and consumers from the adoption of GM crops in 5 sub-Saharan African countries. This paper focuses on case studies involving insect-resistant cowpea in Nigeria and Ghana; disease-resistant cassava in Uganda and Tanzania; and disease-resistant banana in Uganda. Estimations from these case studies show substantial economic benefits to farmers and consumers from the timely adoption and planting in farmers’ fields of GM orphan crops. Our analysis also shows how the benefits would significantly be reduced by regulatory or other delays that affect the timely release of these crops. These findings underscore the importance of having an enabling policy environment and regulatory system—covering, among other elements, biosafety and food/feed safety assessment, and varietal release registration—that is efficient, predictable, and transparent to ensure that the projected economic benefits are delivered and realized in a timely manner.

Inheritance of resistance to three endemic viral diseases of cowpea in Nigeria

Inheritance of resistance to three endemic viral diseases of cowpea in Nigeria

Morphological and biochemical characterization of strains of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vignicola isolated from cowpea grown in three agroecological zones in Nigeria

Cowpea bacterial blight (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv vignicola) is a devastating disease of cowpea in Nigeria. Accurate identification is the first step for an effective management option. Thus, X. axonopodis pv. vignicola isolated from cowpea (Vigna unguinculata (L.) Walp) grown in different Agro-ecological zones in Nigeria were characterized using morphological characteristics, biochemical and antibiotic sensitivity tests. Pot experiments were conducted on two susceptible lines of cowpea (IT90k – 76) and (IT84s – 2246 – 4) in the screen house. In vivo infectivity studies were carried out to determine the effect of each of theX. axonopodis pv. vignicola isolate groups on the cowpea. All isolates from each of the agroecological zones were classified into Group 1 (light yellow) and Group 2 (brownish yellow) based on their morphological presentation on nutrient agar medium. Results from four of the biochemical test showed differences between the two morphologically different groups. Group 2 isolates showed a large zone of inhibition to a Lincomycin hydrochloride while isolates from Group 1 were not affected by the action of the same antibiotic. Blight symptom was only observed when the two types of isolates were combined and inoculated simultaneously. This study showed that there are two morpho-types of X. axonopodis pv. vignicola and their synergetic infectivity results in blight symptoms expression in cowpea.

PROFITABILITY OF COWPEA GRAINS STORED WITH PURDUE IMPROVED COWPEA STORAGE TECHNOLOGY IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Insect infestations impose serious challenge to cowpea storage and negatively affect trade and utilization of cowpea in Nigeria. Purdue improved cowpea storage (PICS) technology provide effective control against these storage pests, thus allowing farmers to tap into better grain prices during the lean season. The study assessed the profitability of cowpea grains stored with Purdue improved cowpea storage technology in Benue State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study include; to determine the effect of PICS technology use on cowpea loss and to estimate the returns to cowpea stored with PICS technology. Two hundred and forty (240) respondents were identified and interviewed using snowballing non-random sampling techniques. The analytical tools used for the study were the gravimetric (count and weight) method and marketing margin analysis. The result of the study revealed that storing with PICS technology reduced weight loss in cowpea by 15.3%, valued at N3,450 per bag per season. The use of PICS technology gave a higher marketing margin of N11,297.88/bag with farm-to-retail price spread of 45.5% than N8,285.83/bag and farm-to-retail price spread of 37.8% in woven bag. It is recommended that; farmers group should be used as a platform to promote and create awareness on the economic benefits of PICS technology use.

Grain legume seed systems for smallholder farmers: Perspectives on successful innovations.

Grain legumes are nutritionally important components of smallholder farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Unfortunately, limited access to quality seed of improved varieties at affordable prices due to inadequate seed systems has reduced their contribution to improving nutrition and reducing poverty in these regions. This paper analyses four seed systems case studies: chickpea in Ethiopia and Myanmar; cowpea in Nigeria; and tropical grain legumes in Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda highlighting outcomes, lessons learned, and the enabling factors which supported the successful innovations. All four case studies highlighted at least some of the following outcomes: increased adoption of improved varieties and area planted; increased productivity and income to farmers; improved market access and growth; and significant national economic benefits. Important lessons were learned including the value of small seed packets to reach many farmers; the value of innovative partnerships; capacity building of value chain actors; and continuity and coherence of funding through Tropical Legumes projects II and III and the recently funded Accelerated Varietal Improvement and Seed Delivery of Legumes and Cereals in Africa (AVISA) project. Successful adoption of innovations depends not just on the right technologies but also on the enabling environment. The case studies clearly showed that market demand was correctly identified, establishment of successful partners and institutional linkages overcame constraints in production and delivery of improved seed to smallholders, and fostered conducive policies supported national seed systems. All were integral to seed system viability and sustainability. It is hoped that these examples will provide potential models for future grain legume seed systems efforts. In addition, the analysis identified a number of areas that require further research.

Response of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata, L., Walp) to inter-row spacing and weed competition

Abstract Weed infestation is one of the major factors attributed for the poor yield of cowpea in Nigeria and other parts of sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). Field trials were therefore conducted to evaluate the effect of row spacing and different weeding levels on weed control, growth and yield of cowpea during the early and late wet seasons of 2009. In both seasons, the use of 60 cm row spacing resulted in significant (P < 0.05) reduction in weed density by 18 – 39% and weed biomass by 17 – 27% with subsequent increase in cowpea growth and grain yield than 75 and 90 cm row spacing. Cowpea grain yield increased by 67 – 109% in the early season and 24 – 56% in the late season at 60 compared to 75 and 90 cm row spacing. Hoe weeding reduced weed growth significantly in both seasons with the lowest weed density and biomass recorded in plots weeded thrice. However, this was not significantly different from weed density and biomass recorded with two weedings in both seasons. Hoe weeding twice resulted in optimum growth and grain yield of cowpea. An additional weeding, however, did not improve cowpea growth and yield in both seasons. The results of this study showed that narrow (60 cm) inter-row spacing and two hoe weedings at 3 and 6 weeks after sowing (WAS) will improve weed control and productivity of cowpea. Additional weeding is considered superfluous.

Markets, institutions and policies: A perspective on the adoption of agricultural innovations

Successful adoption of agricultural innovations depends not just on the right technology but also on markets, institutions, and policies. We illustrate this argument with four case studies of agricultural innovations in the semi-arid tropics, two with high and two with low adoption. We show that the success of both hybrid pearl millet in India and dual-purpose cowpea in Nigeria depended on identifying market demand correctly and on innovative institutions to overcome constraints in the production and delivery of improved seed. Conversely, the low adoption of improved varieties of pigeon pea in Malawi and conservation agriculture in Zimbabwe reflect uncertain market conditions, misunderstood demand and the lack of sustainable institutions for input delivery. The results highlight how variations in the enabling conditions may influence the fate of agricultural innovations.

Foregone benefits of important food crop improvements in Sub-Saharan Africa.

A number of new crops have been developed that address important traits of particular relevance for smallholder farmers in Africa. Scientists, policy makers, and other stakeholders have raised concerns that the approval process for these new crops causes delays that are often scientifically unjustified. This article develops a real option model for the optimal regulation of a risky technology that enhances economic welfare and reduces malnutrition. We consider gradual adoption of the technology and show that delaying approval reduces uncertainty about perceived risks of the technology. Optimal conditions for approval incorporate parameters of the stochastic processes governing the dynamics of risk. The model is applied to three cases of improved crops, which either are, or are expected to be, delayed by the regulatory process. The benefits and costs of the crops are presented in a partial equilibrium that considers changes in adoption over time and the foregone benefits caused by a delay in approval under irreversibility and uncertainty. We derive the equilibrium conditions where the net-benefits of the technology equal the costs that would justify a delay. The sooner information about the safety of the technology arrive, the lower the costs for justifying a delay need to be i.e. it pays more to delay. The costs of a delay can be substantial: e.g. a one year delay in approval of the pod-borer resistant cowpea in Nigeria will cost the country about 33 million USD to 46 million USD and between 100 and 3,000 lives.

Overcoming barriers to trust in agricultural biotechnology projects: a case study of Bt cowpea in Nigeria

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has been the world’s largest cowpea importer since 2004. The country is currently in the early phases of confined field trials for two genetically modified crops: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cowpea and nutritionally enhanced cassava (“BioCassava Plus”). Using the bio-safety guidelines process as a backdrop, we evaluate the role of trust in the operation of the Cowpea Productivity Improvement Project, which is an international agricultural biotechnology public-private partnership (PPP) aimed at providing pest-resistant cowpea varieties to Nigerian farmers. We reviewed the published literature and collected data through direct observations and semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed based on emergent themes to create a comprehensive narrative on how trust is understood and built among the partners and with the community. Our findings highlight the importance of respecting mandates and eliminating conflicts of interest; holding community engagement initiatives early on; having on-going internal discussion and planning; and serving a locally-defined need. These four lessons could prove helpful to other agricultural biotechnology initiatives in which partners may face similar trust-related challenges. Overcoming challenges to building trust requires concerted effort throughout all stages of project implementation. Currently, plans are being made to backcross the cowpea strain into a local variety in Nigeria. The development and adoption of the Bt cowpea seed hinges on the adoption of a National Biosafety Law in Nigeria. For countries that have decided to adopt biotech crops, the Nigerian cowpea experiment can be used as a model for other West African nations, and is actually applied as such in Ghana and Burkina Faso, interested in developing a Bt cowpea.

Seeds of Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss). Promising Biopesticide in the Management of Cowpea Insect Pests and Grain Yield in the Early Cropping Season at Asaba and Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria

Literature on the use of neem extract as biopesticide in the management of field insect pests on cowpea in Nigeria is scanty. The present study evaluated the efficacy of extract of neem seeds at 5 percent concentration for the control of the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch, flower bud thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti Tryb, legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fab, and a spectrum of pod sucking bugs (Coreidae bugs) all key field insect pests of cowpea. The experiments were conducted in the early cropping season in two locations – Asaba and Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria. At Asaba, the study took place in the Teaching and Research Farm of the Agronomy Department, Asaba Campus and at Abraka on a plot of land situated close to the Agricultural Sciences Department, Delta State University, Abraka. The experiments consisted of two calendar sprays – 7 days’ spray intervals at 5 times and 10 days’ spray intervals at 4 times and monitored spray and a control. There were 4 treatments and 3 replicates, organised into a randomised complete block design (RCBD). The results indicated that more insect pests occurred at Asaba than Abraka plot. The calendared spray treatments significantly (P<0.05) reduced M. sjostedti at Asaba and A. craccivora colonies at Abraka plot compared to control. Grain yield was significantly higher at Abraka (1630.70kg ha -1 ) compared to Asaba (404.90 kg ha -1 ). The neem seed extract at 5 percent concentration in the management of the cowpea insect pest is quite attractive. However, the botanical causes delay in cowpea flowering.

In Vitro toxicity of oil extracted from neem seeds collected from different locations across savanna agro-ecological zones of Nigeria on seed and soil-borne pathogens of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

Graded extracts of neem seed oil extracted across the savanna agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of Nigeria were tested on mycelial growth of Colletotrichum capsici and Macrophomina phaseolina of cowpea in Nigeria. Minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC) and effectiveness levels of oil from AEZs were determined. Data were subject to ANOVA. Biplot was employed to access variation and interactions among the AEZs. Across the AEZs, fungitoxicity, MIC and effectiveness level varies; concentrations of 0.1 and 1.0% reduced the growth of C. capsici, while M. phaseolina was reduced at 10% concentration. On M. phaseolina, neem oil extracted from Ilorin, Ogbomosho (derived savanna) and Mokwa (southern guinea savanna) performed similarly, while a strong positive association existed between Ogbomosho (derived savanna) and Hadejia (Sahel savanna) samples. On C. capsici, samples from Bida (southern guinea savanna) and Ilorin (Derived savanna) were similar. This result could be a possible link between ecology, biodiversity and toxic principles in plant materials.

Influence of Cowpea Mottle Virus and Cucumber Mosaic Virus on the Growth and Yield of Six Lines of Soybean (Glycine Max L.)

Cowpea mottle virus is of localised importance on cowpea in Nigeria infecting several leguminous species andCucumber mosaic virus is of worldwide distribution infecting several horticultural crops.A study was carried out in the screen house of the crop production pavilion, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin,Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria to determine the pathogenic response of six lines of soybean (TGx 1844-18E, TGx 1448-2E,TGx- 1910-8F, TGx 1019-2EN, TGx 1844-4E and TGx 1876-4E) to single and mixed infection with cowpea mottlevirus (CMeV) and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV).The Lines obtained from National Cereal Research Institute, Badeggiwere used for the experiment.Two viable Seeds were sown per 4litre plastic pots filled with sterilized soil; inoculation of viral isolates was carried outmechanically on the soybean at two weeks after planting.The results revealed that all Soybean lines tested were susceptible to single and mixed infection of the two viruses.However the tolerance level of the legumes, as shown by the percentage loss in selected growth and yield attributesindicated that line TGx 1910-8F is the most tolerant while TGx 1844-18E is the most susceptible to single and mixedinfection.Hence, TGx 1910-8F is most suitable in areas where there is an outbreak of disease caused by CMeV and CMV.

Evaluation of crop yield models for cowpea in Nigeria

Three phasic models namely, Hanks (H-2), Stewart (S-2) and the Hall–Butcher (H–B), were evaluated on cowpea irrigated using a line source sprinkler system. Three sets of field data (1983, 1985, and 1986) were collected; the 1985 data were used for calibration while the 1983 and 1986 data were used for evaluation of the models. The model performance that most accurately matched the measured data was then used to simulate the most water-efficient irrigation schedule and deficit irrigation analysis for cowpea in Nigeria. Results showed that the models gave good estimates of cowpea grain yield with the H-2 model performing slightly better than the other two models. The weighted root mean square deviations were 0.043, 0.094, and 0.213 for the H-2, S-2 and the H–B model, respectively. Simulation studies with the H-2 model showed that irrigating at 40% moisture depletion is the most water-efficient schedule for cowpea and that greater yield from a given optimum seasonal water application for deficit irrigation can be achieved by splitting the seasonal deficit among the growth stages.

Comparisons of two soil water flow models under variable irrigation

Performance of WATCOM (a numerical model) and CRPSM (a simple water balance model) were assessed in simulating root zone water storage and water balance components under cowpea in Nigeria using a line source sprinkler system. Three sets of field data were collected: the first was used for calibration and model parameters’ estimation and the other two for testing and comparisons. The simulated soil water storage and crop evapotranspiration with WATCOM and CRPSM were in good agreement with field-measured data though WATCOM performed significantly better (P < 0.05) under the stressed condition. The maximum average error between predicted and measured soil water storage was −0.95 and +1.47 mm for WATCOM and CRPSM, respectively, while that between measured and predicted actual crop evapotranspiration was +2.7 and +11.38 mm, respectively, for the two models. WATCOM gave generally higher cumulative deep percolation and lower evapotranspiration than that of CRPSM for all irrigation levels (P < 0.05), and values of deep percolation for WATCOM were in better agreement with field data than that of CRPSM. This suggests that drainage below the field capacity needs to be included in CRPSM and that WATCOM will be a more useful management tool when detailed soil parameter is required and under variable water regime.

Both Sides Now

Both Sides Now

Identification and survival of the causal organism of leaf smut disease of cowpea in Nigeria.

Protomycopsis phaseoli (Ramak and Subram) is the causal agent of the cowpea leaf smut disease in Nigeria and not Entyloma vignae as claimed by some authors. This pathogen formed dark ash-grey to sooty-black lesions of 3-10 mm in diameter, while young lesions had yellow haloes. P. phaseoli produced dark reddish-brown chlamydospores that are globose to oval measured 23.8 microm, thick-walled and rugose. The chlamydospores germinated and produced globose vesicles. The pathogen grew on potato dextrose agar only when the leaf tissue was dipped in acidified water (1% H2SO4). The organism was slowly growing at 24-28 degrees C with snow white colour. Chlamydospores of P. phaseoli in infected cowpea leaves survived longer when buried in the soil for five months than when they were left on the soil surface for the same period at temperatures (26-27 degrees C) and humidity (70-82%) prevailing in Ibadan. Destruction of leaf debris before crop emergence, long period of rotation and no tillage cropping are suggested to prevent the onset and spread of leaf smut disease of cowpea.