Evaluation of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Genotypes for Resistance to Web Blight Caused by Rhizoctonia solani

Abstract

Aims: Soil borne fungi such as Rhizoctonia solani are among the pathogens that infect cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) causing web blight which results in yield loss of 30% worldwide. Disease infection is mostly controlled by the use of chemicals, which occasionally reaches the level of toxicity thereby polluting the environment as well as killing beneficial microorganisms in soil. The present study was conducted to evaluate seven cowpea genotypes for their resistance to Rhizoctonia solani. Place and Duration: The study was carried out during the 2017 cropping season at the experimental fields of the University for Development Studies, Nyankpala, Northern Region of Ghana. Methodology: The field was laid in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with seven treatments and each treatment replicated three times. Data was collected on disease incidence, severity and grain yield. Results: The results showed that IT99K-1122 had the least incidence and severity whereas Sanzi recorded the highest disease incidence and severity. The results showed that IT99K-1122 was moderately resistant and also recorded the highest yield. Conclusion: It was recommended that farmers cultivate IT99K-1122 as it was found to be the most suitable genotype offering resistance to R. solani. Thus, IT99K-1122 which was also moderately resistant was suggested to be used as a source of resistance to R. solani in future breeding works.