Effect of planting date on incidence and severity of leaf smut of cowpea in northern Nigeria

Abstract

The effect of planting leaf smut-susceptible cowpea cultivars in Kano, Nigeria at 2-weeks intervals from July to August under rain-fed conditions on incidence and severity of the disease was investigated. Time of planting played a major role on incidence of leaf smut as cowpea planted around 5-13 August had a low disease incidence. Observations showed that leaf smut appeared early in the season when there was rain and progressed rapidly under conditions of relative humidity (35-54%) and rainfall (5.6-103.0mm). It is suggested that planting of cowpea in this location should be restricted to this specific period to obtain maximum cowpea production especially in the case of vegetable cultivars that are used as fodder for cattle. The effect of delayed planting on grain yield and other agronomic parameters needs to be investigated further.


Key Words: Cowpea; leaf smut; planting dates; vigna unguiculata


Moor J. Agric. Res. Vol.4(1) 2003: 106-110