Yield losses in cowpea by leaf smut caused by Protomycopsis Phaseoli in Nigeria

Abstract

Yield losses from leaf smut was determined in 10 cowpea cultivars planted as subplots in a split-plot experiment in Mokwa and Ibadan in Nigeria. Different levels of the disease were maintained in the main plot by spraying with a fungicide. There were highly significant differences in disease levels, yield between the resistant, moderately susceptible and susceptible cultivars and between the sprayed and unsprayed plots. Highly significant yield losses of 23-43% occurred in the susceptible cultivars and 30-36% in the moderately susceptible cultivars.


Key Words: Yield loss; cowpea; Vigna unguiculata; leaf smut


Moor J. Agric. Res. Vol.4(1) 2003: 123-130