Abstract

A study was conducted to ascertain the resistance of local cowpea, vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. varietiesviz. Danar'ba'in, Dan'ila, Danbaga, Bahaushe, Kanannado, Dan'misira and Ba'adare, collected from three states in the North-western region of Nigeria to cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatusFab. under ambient environmental conditions. Observations on the population of emerged adults, damaged seeds and loss of seed weight after a month period of infestation suggested that cow pea variety Danmisira (cream, rough testa) collected from within Katsina state is more resistant to weevil infestation. The results also showed that seed size and coat color are not the sole factors in determination of seed resistance.

Key words: Cow pea, varieties, resistance, Callosobruchus maculatus