Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-s2hrs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T22:51:16.404Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Studies on the legume pod-borer, Maruca testulalis (Geyer)—VIII. Cowpea phenology and yield loss assessment: effect of loss of leaves, shoots, flowers and pods on cowpea yield in Western Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Joseph B. Suh
Affiliation:
The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Mbita Point Field Station, P.O. Box 30, South Nyanza, Kenya
Charles O. Simbi
Affiliation:
The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Mbita Point Field Station, P.O. Box 30, South Nyanza, Kenya
Get access

Abstract

Preliminary studies were conducted using four varieties of potted cowpea (Ex-Luanda, Katuli 107. Vita 1, TVx66–2H) to determine plant response to injury to foliar and reproductive structures. Several levels of leaf loss were simulated at two plant growth stages; flowers were excised manually for 10. 15 and 20 consecutive days post-flowering; and pods were removed at several levels, 7–10 days after flowering. Similar tests were carried out during the short rains of Mbita Point Field Station (MPFS) and on a farmer's field at Kodiera, near Homa Bay, using two varieties—a local indeterminate dual purpose type (Ex-Luanda) and a determinate grain cultivar (TVu 1509). Defoliation significantly decreased plant weight and pod and grain production, but not branching and pod dimensions of potted plants. Flower and pod loss did not markedly lower plant weight, pod and seed production, and the effect on branching was negligible. The response of field plants was strongly influenced by crop variety and environment, notably agronomic practices and location. These results have implications for integrated pest management (IPM) which are explored in the context of increased grain legume production.

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1983

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

REFERENCES

Anonymous (1978) Factorial model with replication control block. In ICL Statistical Analyses Mark 2, 1900 Series, pp. 72–79. International Computers Ltd, Reading, 185 pp.Google Scholar
Bardner, R. and Fletcher, F. C. (1974) Insect infestations and their effects on the growth and yield crops: a review. Bull. Ent. Res. 64, 141160.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Capinera, J. A. (1979) The effect of simulated insect herbi-vory on sugarbeet in Colorado. J. Kans. ent. Soc. 52, 712718.Google Scholar
Cobley, L. S. and Steele, W. M. (1976) An Introduction to the Botany of Tropical Crops (2nd edition), pp. 9195. Longmans, London.Google Scholar
Enyi, B. A. C. (1975) Effects of defoliation on growth and yield in groundnut (Arachis hypogea), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), soybean (Glycine max) and green gram (Vigna aurens). Ann. appl. Biol. 79, 5566.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Evans, L. T. (1975) Crop Physiology: Some Case Histories (1st edition), pp. 327355. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.Google Scholar
Ezedinma, F. O. C. (1973) Effects of defoliation and topping on semi-upright cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (1) Walp.) in a humid tropical environment. Exp. Agric. 9 203207.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Galvez, G. E., Galindo, J. J., and Alvarez, A. (1975) Artificial defoliation for estimating losses due to foliar damage. Proc. Amer. Phytopath. Soc. 2, 75.Google Scholar
Hall, F. R. and Ferree, D. C. (1976) Effects of injury simulation on photosynthesis of apple leaves. J. Ent. 69, 245248.Google Scholar
Jones, F. G. W., Dunning, R. A. and Humphries, R. A. (1955) The effects of defoliation and loss of stand upon yield of sugar beets. Ann. Appl. Biol. 43, 6770.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kayumbo, H. Y. (1978) Pests of cowpea and their control in Tanzania. In Pests of Grain Legumes: Ecology and Control. (Edited by Singh, S. R., Van Emden, H. F. and Taylor, T. A.), pp. 123126. Academic Press, New York, 454 pp.Google Scholar
Khamala, C. P. M. (1978) Pests of grain legumes and their control in Kenya. In Pests of Grain Legumes: Ecology and Control (Edited by Singh, S. R., Van Emden, H. F. and Taylor, T. A.), pp. 127134. Academic Press, New York, 454 pp.Google Scholar
National Academy of Sciences (1969) Insect–Pest Management and Control. Principles of Plant and Animal Pest Control. Printing and Publishing Office, National Academy of Sciences. Publication 1965, Washington, D.C. 508 pp.Google Scholar
Ojehomon, O. O. (1970) Effect of continuous removal of open flowers on the seed yield of two varieties of cow-pea, Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp. J. aqric. Sci., Camb. 74, 375381.Google Scholar
Okigbo, B. N. (1978) Grain legumes in the agriculture of the tropics. In Pests of Grain Legumes: Ecology and Control (Edited by Singh, S. R., Van Emden, H. F. and Ajibola Taylor, T.) pp. 111. Academic Press, 454 pp.Google Scholar
Poston, F. L. and Pedigo, L. P. (1976) Simulation of painted lady and green cloverworm damage to soybeans. J. aqric. Sci., Camb. 69, 423426.Google Scholar
Poston, F. L., Pedigo, L. P., Pearce, R. B. and Hammond, R. B. (1976) Effects of artificial and insect defoliation on soybean net photosynthesis. J. econ. Ent. 69, 109112.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Singh, S. R. and Taylor, T. A. (1978) Pests of grain legumes and their control in Nigeria. In Pests of Grain Legumes: Ecology and Control (Edited by Singh, S. R., Van Emden, H. F. and Ajibola Taylor, T.), pp. 99111. Academic Press, New York. 454 pp.Google Scholar
Sinha, S. K. and Savithri, K. S. (1978) The biology of yield in food legumes, In Pests of Grain Legumes: Ecology and Control (Edited by Singh, S. R., Van Emden, H. F. and Ajibola Taylor, T.), pp. 233240.Google Scholar
Snyder, G. B. and Michelson, L. (1958) The effect of simulated damage on field beans. Univ. Mass. Exp. Sta. Bull. No. 506, 8 pp.Google Scholar
Wien, H. C. and Tayo, T. O. (1978) The effects of defoliation and removal of reproductive structure of growth and yield of tropical grain legumes, Univ. Mass. Exp. Sta. Bull. pp. 241252.Google Scholar