Storage Of Cowpea Research Articles

Antimycotic effects of synthetic fungicides and plant extracts on Aspergillus flavus

Aspergillus flavus contaminates the seeds of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and produces mycotoxins. This study was carried out to proffer solutions to the infection caused by A. flavus on cowpea seeds. The in vitro trial was set up using two rates (50 and 100%) of each potential control agent (mancozeb, COPMET (Copper-I-oxide + metalaxyl), and aqueous extracts of Eucalyptus and neem) and a control (0%). The botanical extracts and pesticides inhibited the fungus growth significantly (P≤0.05) at different times. Both concentrations of mancozeb gave 100% inhibition of the fungus at 24–168 hours after incubation (HAI). At 24 HAI, Eucalyptus extract (50 and 100%) completely inhibited the fungus growth similar to mancozeb. Eucalyptus extract was more effective than neem extract and COPMET throughout. Though the extracts of both botanicals inhibited the growth of A. flavus at 168 HAI, Eucalyptus (83.8-89.2%) was more potent than neem (20.3–28.4%). At 48-168 HAI, both concentrations of neem extract and COPMET had similar effect on the fungus. The early stage of the antimycotic intervention is critical to the control of the fungus. This can be achieved by dressing cowpea seeds with mancozeb or Eucalyptus. However, due to the high cost and toxicity of synthetic chemicals, Eucalyptus extract could be used as an alternative for management of the fungus or incorporated into integrated disease management programmes for A. flavus. Research on the effects of long-term storage of cowpea using these botanicals is highly admonished.

Farmers’ Perception of the Use and Benefits of Cowpea Storage Methods in Northern Ghana

Insect infestation during the storage of cowpea is a major challenge among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Farmers use various postharvest storage methods to deal with insect pests, including insecticides, which may result in health and environmental hazards. Four hundred (400) cowpea farmers were interviewed on their perceptions and preference of different storage methods in Northern Ghana. About 58% of farmers applied insecticides, 50% used ash, and 42% used hermetic triple-layer bags (Purdue Improved Crop Storage, PICS) to store cowpea. Most farmers (85.6%) preferred the PICS technology for its effectiveness (compared to insecticides, ash, and botanicals). Reasons for the non-use of PICS bags included unavailability (39.5%) and high price (11.7%). Farmers perceived that storing cowpea in PICS bags lowered pesticide-related health risks for both farmers and consumers. Thus, there is a need to improve the availability and affordability of PICS bags in Northern Ghana.

Evaluation of the Effect of Using 2,3-dichlorovinyl Dimethyl Phosphate (sniper) as Storage Insecticide on Quality of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) Nutritional Content

The effect of 2, 3-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (sniper) application on the nutritional contents of cowpea over a period of time has been investigated. The chemical free cowpea samples were purchased directly from local farmers in Mubi town, Adamawa State. Three different treatment rates of 5, 10 and 15 ml of sniper were used. Each of the treatment rates was applied to 13 kg of cowpea and was placed in an air tight galloon. Another galloon containing 13 kg of cowpea without chemical treatment was used as the control sample. These were kept for a period of 30 and 60 days before analysis. The proximate and mineral components of the cowpea were analyzed using standard procedures. Assessment of the proximate composition revealed varied concentrations of protein, carbohydrate, ash, fat, crude fibre and moisture that ranges between 22.79-26.16%, 58.85-60.86%, 3.85-5.88%, 2.25-2.53%, 1.52-1.76% and 5.90-6.85%, respectively. Most of the proximate compositions were observed to decrease with increase in sniper concentration and storage duration. The proximate contents at 60 days after treatment application were observed to be significantly lower than that at 30 days. The mineral components analyzed ranges between 185.03-195.54 mg/100 g (P), 226.32-245.76 mg/100 g (Ca), 80.76-85.92 mg/100 g (Mg) and 595.25-642.34 mg/100 g (K) respectively; and at day 60 it ranges between 186.54-198.65 mg/100g, 251.07-262.73 mg/100 g, 86.48-90.12 mg/100 g and 650.06-700.04 mg/100 g respectively. The mineral contents were observed to increase with increase in treatment concentrations as well as storage duration. Therefore, sniper has significant effect on the proximate and mineral contents of cowpea. The effect depends on the rate and duration of storage. The use of sniper as an insecticide in the storage of cowpea should therefore be discouraged.

The seed quality of Indonesian cowpea local varieties after storage

The optimum performance of the cowpea plant population in the field could be determined by their seed quality. The research aims to evaluate the seed quality of several cowpea local varieties after being stored in the form of seeds and pods. A total of 18 cowpea local varieties from East Java, West Nusa Tenggara, South Kalimantan, and West Sulawesi were evaluated for their seed vigor and viability after being stored for 30 and 60 days at room temperature using plant material in the form of seeds and pods. The seed multiplication was conducted in the field at Banyuwangi, and the seed quality test using sand media was carried out at the glasshouse of ILETRI Malang. The storage of cowpea in the form of pods and seeds for up to 30 days did not significantly affect the seed quality. Four local varieties (VU 0007, VU 0093, VU 0125, VU 0155) showed good viability at the storage of 30 and 60 days, respectively. The VU 0032 and VU 0076 have optimum viability after being stored for 60 days. The speed of the germination index (SGI) was not only describing the level of vigor but also able to show the type of plant material to be stored. The VU 0007, VU 0093, and VU 0155 were recommended to be stored in the form of seeds, meanwhile, the VU 0125 can be stored for up to 60 days in the form of seeds or pods. The morphological characters of sprouts, namely hypocotyl length, stem dry weight, and root dry weight, could be considered as a benchmark parameter for seed vigor of cowpea.

Efficacy of Diatomaceous Earth and Vitellaria paradoxa Seed Oil in Storage of Cowpea under Ventilated and Non-ventilated Conditions

Storage of cowpea is highly constrained by insect pest infestation and losses caused by the cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus, F.) are high. Several methods have been used over the years to protect cowpea grains in storage, but the use of synthetic insecticides is very dominant and this has led to problems, such as the killing of non-target species, user hazards, harmful food residues, and evolution of resistance to chemicals. A search for alternative insect pest control methods which are relatively less harmful to the user and cheaper has become essential. The effectiveness of Diatomaceous earth (DE) and Vitellaria paradoxa seed oil (VPSO) for cowpea storage in polypropylene and jute bags under ventilated and non-ventilated storeroom conditions were investigated over three months period. Crude DE was applied at a dose rate of 1 g/kg of cowpea and a diluted concentration (10% v/v) of VPSO of 400 mL was mixed with 8 kg of cowpea. Live insect count, dead insect count, and germination percentage were assessed weekly while proximate analysis was carried out before and after storage. Mean live insect count increased in the ventilated store-room from 0.67±0.34 to 36.13±19.51insects/kg after 1 month and 3 months of storage respectively for untreated cowpea. Insect population in treated samples increased from 0.38±0.26to 24.78±23.33, and from 0.17±0.30 to 10.75±5.27 for DE and VPSO treated samples, respectively. In the non-ventilated storeroom, insect population increased from 0.33±0.26 to 36.96±19.09 for untreated cowpea, 0.17±0.20 to 33.08±30.07 for DE and 0.21±5.63 to 8.17±11.30 for VPSO treated cowpea. Based on insect count, both treatments were very effective in controlling cowpea weevil in the first two months of storage, however their potency reduced by the third month. The potency of DE deteriorated faster compared to VPSO however, DE treated cowpea was most effective for retaining seed germination in both ventilated and non-ventilated storerooms. Proximate analysis showed that cowpea treated with both treatments had similar nutrient composition after storage. Diatomaceous earth and Vitellaria paradoxa seed oil have potentials in their raw form for short term insect pest control in the storage of cowpea.

Protectant Effect of Vegetable Oils against Cowpea Weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus) on Stored Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp

Cowpea is one of the common edible annual herbaceous legume. Callosobruchus maculatus is one of the common post-harvest pest of cowpea.This work was aimed at determining the protectant effect of five vegetable oils; coconut oil, cotton seed oil, groundnut oil, palm oil and sesame oil for the protection of stored cowpea against cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus).The study was conducted in Gombe State University between October, 2018 and April, 2019. Black eye seeds were used for the experiment. A completely randomized design with five replicates per treatment was used.Black eyed seeds (susceptible variety) used for the experiment were subjected to different oil treatments namely: coconut, cotton, groundnut, palm and sesame oils applied at 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 ml/100 g of cowpea equivalent to 4, 8 and 12 kg. Effect of the oils on weight lost and seed germination was also tested.Percentage adult mortality at 12 ml/Kg revealed that all the five oils killed 100% of the insects. Among the different edible oils evaluated, cotton seed oil was more effective killing 95% of the insect at 4 ml/kg and 100% at 8 ml/kg. The lowest mortality was recorded in the treatment with palm oil with 60 and 91.67% mortality at 4 and 8 ml/kg dose treatment respectively. Minimum percentage weight loss after 90 days of storage was observed in grains treated with cotton seed oil (1.95%) followed by sesame oil (2.00%) and groundnut oil (2.38%) at 12 ml/kg grains. Cotton seed oil, groundnut oil and sesame oil at doses between 8 and 12 ml/kg could be effective for protecting cowpea in storage against cowpea weevil for 90 days of storage.All the treatments indicated minimal effect on the germination of cowpea. The 8 ml/kg of cotton seed, groundnut and sesameoils investigated are promising bio friendly preservatives that could serve as an alternative formulations to synthetic chemical based insecticides for storage of cowpea.

English

Storage of common bean and cowpea is limited due to different species of bruchids. Zabrotes subfasciatus and Callosobruchus maculatus are the most important species of bruchids attacking stored common beans and cowpeas, causing yield losses reaching up to 38-100%. Two experiments, one on the effect of different rates of Filter Cake against Z. subfasciatus on common bean, and the other experiment on the effect of different rates of Filter Cake against C. maculatus on cowpea were conducted at Melkassa in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Half liter capacity transparent plastic bags were used for the experiment. About 0-12 h old ten unsexed Z. subfasciatus adults were introduced to common bean seeds. For cowpea experiment, 0-12 h old 10 C. maculatus were used with similar procedures with that of common bean. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design. Different crops and insect related data were collected. The results obtained demonstrated that significant differences (P<0.05) were observed among the treated and un treated seeds. The rate of mortality was significantly (P<0.05) higher in all the rates of filter cake when compared to the untreated check 3 days after treatment application. Percent weight loss was nil in all the treatments on common bean and cowpea, while it was above 10% in the untreated check. The germination percentage was not impaired by the treatments.  From the current result, it can be concluded that Filter Cake can be used for the control of Z. subfasciatus and C. maculatus. Key words: Callosobruchus maculatus, common bean, cowpea, filter cake, mung bean, Zabrotes subfasciatus. &nbsp

Impact of Certain Safe Treatments on Growth, Productivity and Protection against some Insect Pests of Cowpea Grown under Thermal Stress Condition

Climate change threatens the world food security, especially in developing countries such as Egypt because of the impact of global warming on plant diversity and productivity, even plant that is considered warm vegetation e.g., cowpea. Field and storage experiments were conducted at El-Baramoun farm and Mansoura Horticulture Research Station, Dakahlia governorate, Egypt to study the agronomical performance response of cowpea cv. Kafr El -Sheikh-1 grown under high temperature and long photoperiod conditions of late summer seasons of 2017 and 2018 to some natural and safe treatments i.e., neem oil (2.5ml/L), chitosan (CS) at 200ppm, chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) at 100 ppm and potassium silicate (K-silicate) at 300ppm and their interactions compared with the recommended synthetic insecticide (lannate) at 75g/100L and unprotected control (tap water). The response of infestation of the pod borer (Etiella zinckenlla), as one of the determinants for yield and quality of green pods in the field and dry seeds in the store, to the assigned individual treatments and a treatment of magnetized sea water + iron (Fe) salts were also concluded. In this work, the subsequent storability and insect damage of dry seeds at the ambient temperature for 5 months were studied in terms of either the effect of prior treatments during the field experiment or the effect of post-harvest treatments i.e., natural essential oils of neem, camphor and thyme at 2.5ml/kg seed in comparison with unprotected control and synthetic insecticide (Celphos 57%) at 50mg/kg seeds.The most important results could be summarized as follows:The physiochemical characterization of chitosan nanoparticles cleared that the nanoparticles have, smooth surface, spherical shape and size about 32 nm.All protected treatments considerably differed in improving the agronomical performance over unprotected control at the two seasons. Both mixed treatments were more effective in this regard, since the treatments of neem oil+ K-silicate combined with either CSNPs or CS were superior in increasing vegetative traits, relative water and total chlorophyll contents, green pod yield (47.5% and 46.6%) and dry seed yield (82.8% and 73% ), respectively over unprotected control. The magnetized sea water + Fe salts recorded the highest reduction in pod borer infestation (82.16%), followed by CSNPs (81.16%) compared with the insecticide (76.14%).Concerning the seed storability as affected by prior treatments during field experiment, mixed treatments were more superior in protecting stored seed, especially neem oil+ K-silicate+ CSNPs treatment which reduced seed damage% and infested seed% from 100% (control) to 7.15 and 6.32 % and to 12.11 and 11.14% in 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively. As for the effect of post-harvest treatments, Celphos 57% was the most effective treatment, since damage% and infested seeds % reduced to 0%, followed by neem and thyme oils (less than 10%).Eventually, foliar spray of neem oil+ K-silicate combined with either CSNPs or CS five times during the growing seasons may introduce integrated solutions for biotic and abiotic stresses during field and storage of cowpea. Also for the best stored seeds at the ambient temperature for 5 months, neem and thyme oils (2.5ml/kg seed) are the most recommended natural and safe applications.

Development stage, storage temperature and storage duration influence phytonutrient content in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.)

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) plays an important role in sustainable food security and livelihood improvement in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The crop is rich in phytonutrients and minerals, which are key in solving malnutrition and hunger crisis, a major challenge in SSA. However, physiological status, storage temperature and duration affect phytonutrient levels and postharvest life of the leafy vegetable. Despite the significant importance of cowpeas, the maturity and postharvest storage effects on quality of the leafy vegetable remains unrevealed. The aim of this study was to analyze the dynamics of phytonutrients in cowpea leaves during development under field conditions in Kenya and in storage. The total carbohydrates (glucose, fructose, sucrose and starch) were highest at 90 d after planting (105.9 ± 2.5 g kg-1) compared to 30, 60 and 120 d. The total Phenolics (Gallic acid equivalents) increased gradually with age up to 12.0 ± 0.2 g kg-1 by 120 d. Catechin equivalent flavonoids, trolox equivalent antioxidants (TEA) and chlorophyll were highest in concentrations at 60 d after planting with 8.0 ± 0.5 g kg-1, 26.19 ± 0.5 g kg-1 and 5.7 ± 0.4 g kg-1, respectively. Quercetin equivalent flavonoids and total carotenoids did not show significant changes with age, while mineral concentration dynamics were specific for each element. Storage of cowpea leaves at room temperature (50–55 % relative humidity) led to a stronger decline of phytonutrients after 4 d, but mostly they remained stable at cold storage (5 °C). Results of this study highlight the importance of developmental stage at harvest, storage conditions and duration for the optimal availability of phytonutrients in freshly consumed leaves and for postharvest management strategies.

Controlled atmosphere storage of brown cowpea under nitrogen

Controlled atmosphere storage of brown cowpea under nitrogen

Evolution of Ochratoxin A Contents during Storage of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L Walp) Bagged PICS with Lippia multiflora Moldenke Leaves and Estimation of Daily Intake in Adult Ivorian

Evolution of Ochratoxin A Contents during Storage of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L Walp) Bagged PICS with Lippia multiflora Moldenke Leaves and Estimation of Daily Intake in Adult Ivorian

Effect of solar drying on the biological parameters of the cowpea weevil, <i>Callosobruchus maculatus</i> Fab. (Coleoptera-Bruchinae), in Sahelian area.

Objective: Callosobruchus maculatus Fab. (Coleoptera: Bruchinae) is a major pest of cowpea seeds (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) in the Sahelian zone. The grain infestation by this insect pest starts in the field at the beginning of fructification of the plant and continues in storage where the damage can be significant if no protective measures are taken. In order to prevent the damage caused by C. maculatus in storage of cowpea, farmers commonly expose the seeds and pods to the sun radiations for several days before storing them. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the impact of sun radiation on the egg laying and development of weevils in general and particularly C. maculatus.Methodology and results: To achieve this goal, experiments were conducted to determine the biological parameters of two batches of this pest respectively exposed to sun radiations and in the laboratory environment. The investigated parameters include longevity, fertility, infertility rate, eggs, development time, larval survival rate and emergence rate. This study results indicated that the different biological parameters studied were significantly affected when the insects were reared under sun radiations. In fact, it appears under this study experimental conditions that sun exposure significantly inhibits egg laying, embryonic development and postembryonic development of C. maculatus resulting in complete inhibition of the emergence of the offspring.Conclusion and application of results: Thus, solar drying seems to be an effective method of preventing weevil damage during cowpea storage.Keywords: Cowpea; Callosobruchus maculatus; solar drying; Sahelian area.

Effect of different concentration of actellic 25ec on the storage quality of cowpea (<i>Vigna unquiculata</i>) grains.

The experiment was conducted at the Pest Management Laboratory of Niger State College of Agriculture, Mokwa, during December, 2009 and June, 2010 to identify the most effective and economic dosage of Actellic 25EC for successful preservation of quality of cowpea for about six month after harvesting. The treatments were made up of Actellic 25EC (R) applied at the rate of 0, 5, 10, 15. 20, 25 and 30 mi in 1 liter of water for treatments A trough G respectively. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with seven treatments replicated three times. Assessment was based on ranking of infestation and damage to seed quality based on scale of 1-9 for store produce quality. The results shows there were no significant difference (p<0.05) in the treatments during the first 6 weeks, whereas, there were significant differences (p<0.05) between treatment A and all other treatments from 6 weeks after storage of cowpea. It is recommended that the storage of cowpea for period less than 6 weeks after harvesting does not required any use of pesticide while for period 6-24 weeks after harvesting required 5-20 ml of Actellic 25 EC ® in 1 litre of water. Keywords: Cowpea weevils, actellic 25EC, Vigna unquiculata , storage grains

Bioactivity of essential oil from fresh leaves of Lantana camara against fungi isolated from stored cowpea in southern Benin

Cowpea is one of the most important foods in the diet of the population, especially in rural areas. Unfortunately, it is attacks by insects and a large number of microorganisms, especially fungi. In order to promote this legume, the present work aimed to develop an inexpensive and environmentally friendly method to reduce fungi contamination, by using essential oil of Lantana camara in the storage of cowpea. Microbiological analyzes were performed on cowpea seeds using the Direct plating method for the isolation of fungi. Antifungal tests were performed by the method of diffusion in a solid medium to determine the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration of essential oil. Results obtained indicated that Aspergillus and Penicillium were the most genera of fungi isolated from cowpea in post-harvest in southern Benin. The main species were, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus tamarii, Aspergillus ustus and Penicillium roqueforti. Antifungal tests showed that at a concentration of 20μL/mL, the essential oil was fongiostatique on four strains studied. From these results, the essential oil of Lantana camara could be used as preservation agent to protect cowpea in post-harvest in Benin

PICS bags for post-harvest storage of maize grain in West Africa

Maize is a key food crop in West Africa, where Benin, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Nigeria account for most of the regional production. Storage pests are major constraints in the maize value chain, with losses reaching 30%. Simple, low-cost triple bagging technology (now known as PICS – Purdue Improved Crop Storage) originally developed for postharvest storage of cowpea was evaluated for applicability to maize storage. Thirteen test units employing PICS bag were set up in July and August 2012 at eleven localities in Benin, Burkina Faso and Ghana. Each trial unit consisted of 3 or 4 PICS bags of 50 kg capacity and 2 woven control bags. We used locally purchased naturally infested maize that had relatively high levels of infestation with Prostephanus truncatus Horn, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, 1855 and/or Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (seven localities) or lightly infested maize showing little or no evidence of damage (four localities). After 6.5 months of storage in PICS bags, there was 95–100% insect mortality at all sites. The percentage of damaged seeds and the 100 seeds weights in PICS bags were unchanged from what was recorded at the time the experiment was set up. Seed viability was well maintained; germination rates of seeds from the PICS bags did not differ from that observed at the beginning of the experiment. Aflatoxin tests were carried out on 245 samples, with 53% having levels above 20 ppm in both PICS and woven bags. Samples from PICS bags tended to be less contaminated than those from woven bags. PICS bags can be used for maize storage even in areas with high prevalence of P. truncatus, but storage of maize should begin soon after harvest and drying to minimize bag damage that can occur when very high numbers of P. truncatus are present.

Adoption of on-farm hermetic storage for cowpea in West and Central Africa in 2012

This study is based on interviews with 3456 randomly selected cowpea farmers in 322 villages in ten countries in West and Central Africa in 2010 and 2012. It uses descriptive statistics to track the trends in adoption of cowpea storage technology compared to previous studies and Firth logistic regression to identify important factors in adoption. The interviews indicate that regionally about 46% of respondents use some type of hermetic storage for their cowpeas and about 44% of the quantity of cowpea stored on farms is in hermetic containers. Both the percentage of respondents and the percentage of stored quantity fall slightly short of the 50% benchmark hypothesized. The 2010–2012 estimates compare to about 30% of cowpea quantity stored in hermetic containers in 2003–2004. Regionally, the most commonly used hermetic storage container is the triple layer Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) bag. In PICS villages, local unavailability is the most common reason for not using the bags. The logit analysis shows that living in a village with PICS activities is the single most important factor explaining adoption of the technology. In six of the nine regressions participation in the demonstrations was also positive and a statistically significant determinant of adoption. For someone living in a PICS village and participating in the activities the combined effect is highly influential. In Niger such an individual would be 27% more likely than a non-participant from a non-PICS village to use PICS bags. In Senegal he or she would be 55% more likely. Some form of exposure to PICS activities or village technicians is key in adoption of the PICS technologies, though it may not be direct contact with a PICS technician. On average additional cash flow due to storage of cowpea in PICS bags is estimated at $26.58/100 kg bag more than sale at harvest.

Efficacy of Olive oil, Groundnut oil, Soybean oil and Palm kernel oil in the Control of &lt;i&gt;Callosobruchus maculatus&lt;/i&gt; (F.) in Stored Cowpea (&lt;i&gt;Vigna unguiculata&lt;/i&gt; L. Walp)

Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the potentials of four different vegetable oils (olive oil, groundnut oil, soybean oil and palm kernel oil) for the protection of stored cowpea against Callosobruchus maculatus . Ife-brown seeds (a susceptible variety) used for the experiment were subjected to the different oil treatments applied at 0.2 ml per 50 g of seeds. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomised design with three replicates per treatment. All the oils tested suppressed the development of C. maculatus to some extent with groundnut oil and palm kernel oil exhibiting similar results in the control of the pest. There was no significant difference between palm kernel oil and groundnut oil for adult mortality, larvae and pupae emergence at P< 0.05 but it was significantly different for the F 1 progeny emergence. Palm kernel oil was more effective against the F 1 progeny emergence. These two oils could be used in the storage of cowpea against C. maculatus . Keywords : Olive oil, Soybean oil, groundnut oil, palm kernel oil and Callosobruchus maculatu s

Incidence of Sitophilus oryzae and Other Stored-product Pests on Cowpea in Local Markets in Accra: Management Strategies Employed by Retailers

In recent times, the unusual presence of Sitophilus on cowpea has become an issue in Ghana as it constitutes a threat to food sufficiency and food security; this, by extension, necessitated the execution of this survey to establish the specific identity of the insect and its incidence, on stored cowpea in Ghana and consequently assess the level of awareness of traders and the management strategies employed. Using internal morphological identification techniques, the insect was identified as Sitophilus oryzae with an incidence rate of 12, 22 and 20% as against 50, 41 and 42% incidence rate of Callosobruchus maculatus after 30, 60 and 90 days respectively, of undisturbed storage of cowpea within the marketing systems in Accra, Ghana. Relatively low number of retailers (35.44%, N = 79) was aware of this occurrence, with 91.14% of this employing the energy-demanding and time-consuming sieving techniques as their main control strategies. This paper draws attention to the possible worsening of food insecurity already eminent in Africa for insects are no respecters of international or geo-political boundaries as they can spread to other countries, should this observation be left unchecked.

Dry and ultra-dry storage of pepper, aubergine, winter squash, summer squash, bean, cowpea, okra, onion, leek, cabbage, radish, lettuce and melon seeds at −20°C and 20°C over five years

Dry and ultra-dry storage of pepper, aubergine, winter squash, summer squash, bean, cowpea, okra, onion, leek, cabbage, radish, lettuce and melon seeds at −20°C and 20°C over five years

Effect of Irrigation Amount and Tillage System on Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Cowpea

Yield, water storage, and water use efficiency of irrigated cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) were evaluated under four tillage systems and five irrigation regimens. The tillage systems are conventional tillage, reduced tillage, zero tillage, and manual tillage, and the irrigation regimens were created by using a line source sprinkler system. Reduced and conventional tillage produced higher yield and water use efficiency than zero and manual tillage (p<0.05). Reduced tillage produced the highest yield of 1.88 t/ha and had slightly higher yields than conventional tillage in the first four irrigation levels because of higher water storage and lower percolation than conventional tillage. Although manual tillage had high water storage and low percolation, the water was not beneficially used probably because of high evaporation leading to significantly (p<0.05) high soil moisture tension before irrigation. Zero tillage, on the other hand, resulted in significantly (p<0.05) lower application efficiency due to higher runoff. Therefore, irrigated land requires some forms of mechanical tillage or water conservation measures for manually tilled land for improved water use efficiency.