Studies On Economic Injury Level Of Legume Pod Borer (Maruca Vitrata (G.) Fab.) On Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata (L.) Walp) In Zaria, Kaduna State

📄 Project Abstract

Trials were carried out in both screen house and field during 2014 cropping season at Samaru, Zaria to study the Economic Injury Levels (EIL) and to evaluate some cowpea varieties for field resistance to legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata (G.) Fab). First instar larvae of M. vitrata at levels 0 (no larvae were released), 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 were used to infest (SAMPEA 7) cowpea at flower bud initiation, 50 % flowering and 50 % podding in both screen house and field cages, respectively. The treatments were arranged in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) and Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated four times for screen house and field trials, respectively. Parameters assessed include, number of pods produced, damaged pods, weight of grains and the rate of association between larval density and grain weight. The result obtained showed decreased yield in cowpea with increase in number of larvae infested in both screen house and field cages. Infestation...