Several pre and post–emergence herbicides were evaluated for the control of Alectra vogelii. Twenty five (25) herbicide treatments were compared with a weedy check in a randomized complete block design using cowpea variety SAMPEA–7. In the two years (2003 & 2004), pre–emergence herbicide application of the mixtures containing pree (metazachlor + antidote) followed by imazaquin at 0.18kg a.i/ha resulted in significantly lower number of infected plants. In 2003, pendimethalin plus imazaquin at 0.87+0.15 and 1.09 + 0.19 kg a.i/ha and pendimethalin plus imazethaphyr at 1.58+0.12kg a.i/ha, followed by imazaquin at 0.18kg a.i/ha, resulted in lower number of cowpea plants infected by Alectra compared with the weedy check. The studies demonstrate that farmers can achieve significant reduction in cowpea plant infection by Alectra vogelii when pre-emergence herbicide mixtures containing pree (metazachlor + antidote) are applied, followed by post-emergence application of imazaquin at 0.18kg a.i/ha or pendimehalin plus imazaquin at 0.87 + 0.15 and 1.09 + 0.19 kg a.i/ha followed by imazaquin at 0.18kg a.i/ha are used.

Key words

Pre-emergence, post-emergence, herbicides, Alectra vogelii, cowpea

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