Vigna unguiculata

A study was conducted on growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculalta L) under different mulch materials on an Alfisol in the Teaching and Research farm of Ambrose Alli University, in Ekpoma, Nigeria. Mulch materials increased the soil pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and carbon exchange capacity of the soil over control. At 3 and 6 weeks after planting, cocoa husk and empty fruit bunch recorded significant higher plant height, leaf area and number of leavers of cowpea plant over cassava peels and control.

A checklist of indigenous pests of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) at Mokwa, Niger state, Nigeria, and their relative abundance were reported. The impacts of two most commonly used insecticides in the locality, i.e. Dimethoate and Cypermethrin, on cowpea productivity were elucidated. Thirteen insect species were listed, three of which were prominent at the seedling and prereproductive stages. These include: - Ootheca mutabilis, Empoasca dolichi and Medythia quarterna.