Effects of application of phosphorus fertilizer on brown blotch disease of cowpea

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of level of phosphorus application on brown blotch disease of cowpea during the planting seasons of 2001, 2002 and 2003. Application of phosphorus from Single Super Phosphate at 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg P₂O₅/ha significantly increased the number of petioles, pods, nodules, seed/pod leaf area and yield. The higher the level of application of phosphorus the higher values of all the parameters. Disease incidence and severity of brown blotch were significantly reduced at higher levels of phosphorus (90 and 120 kg/ha) irrespective of the method of application. Moreover, there were also increases in the grain yield of cowpea

Keywords: Cowpea, disease phosphorus, levels, methods