Effects of Striga (Striga gesnerioides Wild Vatke) on the Growth and Yield of some Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (l.) Walp.] Varieties in Mubi, Adamawa State Nigeria

Abstract

Cowpea yield loss associated with Striga gesnerioides have been reported to range between 83 to 100 %. For sustainable food production to meet the increasing population in developing countries like Nigeria, the production of cowpea need to be increased through proper selection of variety that can resist striga effects. The experiments was conducted at the Teaching and Research farm of the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Adamawa State University Mubi, to investigate the effect of striga (Striga gesnerioides Wild Vatke) on the growth and yield of some cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) varieties. The treatments consisted of three improved cowpea varieties and four commonly cultivated genotypes viz: T1 = SAMPEA-14, T2 = SAMPEA11, T3 = SAMPEA-8, T4 = Iron beans, T5 = Ife Brown (“BOSAP”), T6 = White “kanannado” and T7 = “kilikili” which were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in three replicates. Data were collected on leaf area, leaf area index, fresh plant weight, shoot dry matter weight and grains yield. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 5 % probability level. Result shows that effect of striga was significant on leaf area, leaf area index and grains yield of cowpea while fresh plant weight and shoot dry matter weight were not significantly affected. Iron beans produced the highest leaf area while kilikili produced the highest leaf area index. SAMPEA -14 exhibited higher striga resistance with no striga emergence throughout the period of the study. In terms of yield, all the improved varieties together with Kilikili performed better than the other cultivars. SAMPEA -14 recorded the highest grains (2110.90 kg ha-1 ) and is hereby recommended for adoption by farmers in Northern Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria and similar areas with severe Striga gesnerioides infestations.