Annual cycle of the legume pod borer Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in southwestern Burkina Faso

Maruca vitrata is an economically significant insect pest of cowpea in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the seasonal population patterns of M. vitrata is essential for the establishment of effective pest management strategies. M. vitrata larval populations on cultivated cowpea and adult flying activities were monitored in addition to scouting for host plants and parasitoids during 2 consecutive years in 2010 and 2011 in southwestern Burkina Faso. Our data suggest that M. vitrata populations overlapped on cultivated cowpea and alternate host plants during the rainy season. During the cowpea off-season, M. vitrata maintained a permanent population on the wild host plants Mucuna poggei and Daniella oliveri. The parasitoid fauna include three species, Phanerotoma leucobasis Kri., Braunsia kriegeri End. and Bracon sp. Implications of these finding for pest management strategies are discussed

An assessment of the risk of Bt-cowpea to non-target organisms in West Africa

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp.) is the most economically important legume crop in arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Cowpea is grown primarily by subsistence farmers who consume the leaves, pods and grain on farm or sell grain in local markets. Processed cowpea foods such as akara (a deep-fat fried fritter) are popular in the rapidly expanding urban areas. Demand far exceeds production due, in part, to a variety of insect pests including, in particular, the lepidopteran legume pod borer (LPB) Maruca vitrata. Genetically engineered Bt-cowpea, based on cry1Ab (Event 709) and cry2Ab transgenes, is being developed for use in sub-Saharan Africa to address losses from the LBP. Before environmental release of transgenic cowpeas, the Bt Cry proteins they express need to be assessed for potential effects on non-target organisms, particularly arthropods. Presented here is an assessment of the potential effects of those Cry proteins expressed in cowpea for control of LPB. Based on the history of safe use of Bt proteins, as well as the fauna associated with cultivated and wild cowpea in sub-Saharan Africa results indicate negligible effects on non-target organisms

The influence of cropping systems on the population and build up of pigeonpea insect pests at vegetative phase

The influence of different intercrops comprising pigeonpea +yam, pigeonpea + cassava, pigeonpea + cocoyam, pigeonpea + maize and pigeonpea sole on the vegetative damage by insect pests was studied on pigeonpea plants at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka during 2002 and 2003 cropping year. Monitoring of insect population at vegetative phase comprised five (5) intercrops laid down using Randomized Complete Block Design in four replications. Damage on the vegetative parts was done by rating scale. Result from the studies showed that pigeonpea in inter-crops involving cassava and maize recorded low vegetative damage while inter-crops involving yam, cocoyam and sole crops had moderate damage. Generally, insect population counts were found statistically significant at 5% probability level. Maize and cassava inter-crops recorded the lowest population counts and highest on pigeonpea + cocoyam, pigeonpea + yam and pigeonpea sole crops. However, the population of grasshoppers were significantly higher in pigeonpea sole crops. Followed by pigeonpea + cassava inter-crops. The population of beetles were found not significant though there were higher number of leafbeetles in sole pigeonpea compared to other inter-crops. International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 7(2) 2006: 15-1

Pigeonpea Production and Utilization in Nigeria

Pigeonpea is a multipurpose legume crop thai provides food, fuelwood, and fodder for small-scale farmers in subsistence agriculture. Il also enhances soil fertility through its leaf drop. Liltle seems to be known about production levels in Nigeria, and there has not been a systematic attempt to'evaluate production practices, constraints, and utilization of the crop. Surveys were therefore conducted in Oct 1991. Nov/Dcc 1992, and Jan/Feb 1993 to identify pigeonpea production areas and practices, as well as uses of the crop, and changes needed for improving production....