Screening of Some Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) (L) Resistance against Striga Infestation (Striga gesnerioides)

This study aims to screen twelve cowpea breeding lines for resistance against Striga gesnerioides, a parasitic weed that significantly impacts cowpea production in sub-Saharan Africa. The research was conducted at the biological garden of Jigawa State College of Education, Gumel, Nigeria. The state has two seasons: Dry season from October to May and a rainy season from June to September. The cowpea varieties, sourced from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kano, include IT07K-289-29, IT08K-124-15, IT08K-137-7, IT08K-180-15, IT97K-499-35, IT07K-263-2-9, IT99K-573-2-1, IT07K-273-2-3, IT08K-175-2, IT08K-126-4, IT00K-1213, and IT07K-251-2-7. The experimental design was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data on plant height, flowering, pod maturity, Striga count, and seed and fodder weight were collected and analyzed using GENSTAT software. The results identified IT08K-124-15, IT08K-137-7, IT08K-180-15, IT97K-499-35, IT07K-263-2-9, IT07K-273-2-3, IT99K-573-2-1 cowpea varieties with high resistance to Striga gesnerioides which had 4-6 Striga count, is often mediated by genetic mechanisms that inhibit haustorium formation.,IT07K-273-2-3, IT08K-175-2, IT08K-126-4cowpea varieties showed moderate resistance with 14-16 Striga count, while susceptibility was found in IT00K-1213, and IT07K-251-2-7 with Striga count of 30-32.This provides a valuable information for breeding programs aimed at improving cowpea resistance to this parasitic weed.