Effects of Striga gesnerioides on the Growth and Yield of Some Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) Genotypes under Water Stress Condition

Abstract

Cowpea production in the Sahelian region faced production constraint due to disease and drought. Striga gesnerioides is a major constraint to cowpea production specifically to the agronomic point of view. The aim of this present study is to determine the effect of Striga gesnerioides on the growth and yield of some cowpea genotypes subjected to different moisture stress conditions. The experiment was conducted at screen house of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Kano, Nigeria. Three cowpea varieties were used in the experiment, the experimental set up was completely randomized design with four treatment regimes; T1, vegetative stage of water stress with Striga infestation; T2, vegetative stage of water stress; T3, unstressed with Striga infestation and T4, unstressed. Uniform broadcasting of 0.05g of Striga gesnerioides were imposed in the treatment. Data were collected on plant height, number of leaves, plant vigor score, phenology, and grain yield. The results showed that there is a significant difference in the number of leaves between the treatments with DANILA having the highest number of leaves. DANILA was found to exhibit the highest plant vigor. Total chlorophyll reductions were recorded at 37 days after water stress and striga infestation.DANILA recorded the highest reduction in total chlorophyll content. The results showed that IT98K-205-8 matured earlier and recorded higher yield, Danila
recorded low yield. It can be concluded that cowpea varieties IT97K-499-35 and IT98K-205-8 which gave the highest yield were resistance to Striga gesnerioides, whereas Danila which developed Symptoms with reduced yield is said to be susceptible to Striga gesnerioides.

Keyword: Striga gesnerioides, cowpea, water stress