Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-t5tsf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-09T10:00:25.823Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A field screening technique for resistance of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) to the pod-borer Maruca testulalis (Geyer) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Louis E. N. Jackai
Louis E. N. Jackai
Affiliation:
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Oyo Road, PMB 5320, Ibadan, Nigeria
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

A method for screening resistance of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) to the legume pod-borer Maruca testulalis (Geyer) was developed. Several damage parameters were measured, including damage to stem, flowers, pods and seeds. Some of these parameters were assessed in more than one way. A decision was made at the end of the study as to which parameters were most appropriate for a field screening methodology. A plant resistance index, Ipr, was generated to aid in this decision. Based on this, it was concluded that flower, pod, and seed damage measurements provided the most important assessment of resistance to the borer. The larval population in the flowers showed marked differences in infestation levels between cultivars and is suggested as a means of comparing results in the future. Based on the methodology described, TVu 946 was the most resistant cowpea cultivar in every category of assessment. Five other cultivars were also selected for further evaluation as probable resistance donors: Kamboinse Local, TVu 1, VITA-5, TVx 3890–010F and VICAM-1/SP. The rationale behind the development of a field-screening methodology and some of its shortfalls are discussed.

Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 72 , Issue 1 , March 1982 , pp. 145 - 156
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1982

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Akinfenwa, S. (1975). Bioecological study of Maruca testulalis (Geyer) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in the Zaria area of Northern Nigeria.—M.S. thesis, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, 82 pp.Google Scholar
Anon. (1976). Annual report for 1975.—219 pp. Ibadan, Nigeria, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.Google Scholar
Anon. (1979). Annual report for 1978.—129 pp. Ibadan, Nigeria, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.Google Scholar
Anon. (in press). Annual report for 1981.—Ibadan, Nigeria, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.Google Scholar
Guthrie, W. D. (1980). Breeding for resistance to insects in corn.—pp. 290–302in Harris, M. K. (Ed.). Biology and breeding for resistance to arthropods and pathogens in agricultural plants.—605 pp. College Station. Texas A & M Univ.Google Scholar
Jackai, L. E. N. (in press a). Relation between the cowpea crop phenology and field infestation by the legume pod-borer, Maruca testulalis (Geyer).—Ann. ent. Soc. Am.Google Scholar
Jackai, L. E. N. (in press b). Large plot evaluation of cowpea resistance to the legume pod-borer, Maruca testulalis (Geyer) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).—J. Assoc. adv. Agric. Sci. Afr.Google Scholar
Janzen, D. H. (1969). Seed-eaters versus seed size, number, toxicity and dispersal.—Evolution, Lancaster, Pa. 23, 1–27.Google ScholarPubMed
Janzen, D. H. (1976). Insecticidal action of the phytohemaglutinin in black beans on a bruchid beetle.—Science, N.Y. 192, 795–796.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ortega, A., Vasal, S. K., Mihm, J. & Hershey, C. (1980). Breeding for insect resistance in maize.—pp. 371–420in Maxwell, F. G. & Jennings, P. R. (Eds.). Breeding plants resistant to insects.—683 pp. New York, Wiley.Google Scholar
Singh, S. R. (1978). Resistance to pests of cowpea in Nigeria.—pp. 267–279, in Singh, S. R., Van Emden, H. F. & Taylor, T. A. (Eds.). Pests of grain legumes: ecology and control.—454 pp. London, Academic Press.Google Scholar
Singh, S. R. (1980). Biology of cowpea pests and potential for host plant resistance.—pp. 398–421in Harris, M. K. (Ed.). Biology and breeding for resistance to arthropods and pathogens in agricultural plants.—605 pp. College Station, Texas A & M Univ.Google Scholar
Taylor, T. A. (1967). The bionomics of Maruca testulalis Gey. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a major pest of cowpeas in Nigeria.—Jl. W. Afr. Sci. Ass. 12, 111–129.Google Scholar
Taylor, T. A. (1978). Maruca testulalis: an important pest of tropical grain legumes.—pp. 193–200in Singh, R. S., Van Emden, H. F. & Taylor, T. A. (Eds.). Pests of grain legumes: ecology and control.—454 pp. London, Academic Press.Google Scholar
Woolley, J. N. & Evans, A. M. (1979). Screening for resistance to Maruca testulalis (Geyer) in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Walp.—J. agric. Sci., Camb. 92, 417–425.CrossRefGoogle Scholar