Study of Biopesticide Effects on Growth and Yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) in Subsaharan Africa: Case of Far-North Cameroon

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa has a large population from malnutrition. With a growth rate of ≈ 2.7% per year, this number is constantly increasing. Added to this challenge are the effects of climate change, which are impacting the yield of crops that are part of our dietary habits. One of these crops is cowpea, which requires increasing use of chemical inputs (synthetic pesticides) due to pest attacks. The aim of this study is to test the effectiveness of a biopesticide on cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata (L.) Walp) growth and yield. To do this, a complete block with three replications was set up in two localities (Moudawa and Guidiguis) for two successive years (2021 and 2022), using the Fekem and Lori varieties respectively. The control was the plots treated with PACHA. Growth parameters (emergence rate, number of nodes/plant, pod yield, number of seeds/pod, 1000-seed weight) and yield were recorded. The results show that there is no significant difference between the parameters studied at each site for the two varieties. Consequently, the chemical treatment can be replaced by the biopesticide.