Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 10(2): 500 - 506. Published October 7, 2008.
Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus application on the reaction of cowpea to the parasitic plant Alectra vogelii
Magani IE.*, Lagoke STO.** and Emechebe AM.***
*Department of Crop and Environmental Protection, University of Agriculture, PMB 2373, Makurdi, Nigeria; **Department of Crop Production, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria; ***International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, PMB 5320, Ibadan, Nigeria.
^Corresponding author e–mail:m.enochistifanus@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus application on the reaction of cowpea varieties to Alectra vogelii.
Methodology and results: Three cowpea varieties (B301, TN93 – 80, VITA – 3) and four varieties (IT89KD – 245 – 1, TN93 – 80, VITA – 3 and SAMPEA – 7) were used in the two years respectively, with three levels each of N and P. Cowpea varieties TN93 – 80 and IT89KD – 245 – 1 delayed Alectra emergence. The highest N rate (60kg P/ha) consistently reduced Alectra shoot count, but depressed cowpea yield; while moderate P rate (20kg/ha) increased cowpea grain yield without any apparent effect on Alectra incidence.
Conclusions and application of findings: The study demonstrate that cowpea variety VITA – 3 has potential to tolerate Alectra; while higher doses of N (60kg/ha) and P (40kg/ha) delay Alectra emergence. Combination of suitable cowpea variety with appropriate fertilizer level could therefore be used as a management measure for Alectra vogelii.
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