Root Rot Disease of Cowpea (Vgna unguiculata)

The study reports the laboratory and field investigations on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) root rot infection due to Pythium species in east senatoria district, Kogi State, Nigeria. Laboratory studies were carried out to isolate, identify and control the fungus associated with the root rot. Four local government areas were survey for the disease incidence with emphasis on Dekina, Abejukolo, Ajaaka and Ankpa towns between 2004 and 2006. At the four locations studied, Dekina had the highest incidence of the disease; followed by Ajaaka while the least incidence of the disease was recorded in Abejukolo. Three cowpea cultivars viz; local variety (gwana), Ife-brown and IAR-16 were used for the study. These were cultivated on ridges in the field or in potting bags and kept in a Screen House for pathogenicity studies, bioassay of fungicides and plant extracts. Of the cowpea cultivars grown, Ife-brown was the most resistant with the least percentage infection, compared with the other cultivars (local variety and IAR-16)..