Screening for resistance to Striga gesnerioides and estimation of yield loss among Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) progenies in the Upper East Region of Ghana

Abstract

Parasitic weed Striga gesnerioides (Willd.) is one of the major constraints of cowpea production. Hostplant resistance seems to be efficient and economical in controlling the pest. The objectives of this study were to evaluate recombinant inbred lines developed between IT97K 499-35 (Striga resistant parent,) and Sanzi (susceptible parent), by Single Seed Descent (SSD), for Striga resistance in Northern Ghana. The study also evaluated the promising Striga gesnerioides resistant lines and susceptible checks for yield loss due to Striga infestation. The studies involved a field and pot screening under artificial inoculation. Twenty-seven (27) recombinant inbred lines (RILs) out of the 251 RILs screened were resistant to Striga gesnerioides. The percentage reduction in the grain yield and dry biomass were lower in the resistant RILs (0.55 to 3.08% and 1.11 to 7.7%, respectively) than the susceptible ones (28.45 to 58.88% and 47.29 to 61.71%, respectively). The negative effect of Striga infestation on cowpea grain yield and dry biomass can then be reduced when resistant genotypes are used.

Identification of sources of resistance to Striga gesnerioides Willd. Vatke among cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp) germplasm from Togo

“…This could explain the five resistant accessions obtained in the field test against the three found in the pots test. Our results agree with those of Leandre et al (2018) and Tignegre et al (2013), who found some resistant genotypes from the field tests susceptible in the pots tests when evaluating cowpea genotypes' resistance to S. gesnerioides in both tests. Besides, pots tests conditions have the benefit of Striga seeds easy access to the cowpea root system, giving a higher likelihood of stimulating striga seeds germination and haustorium fixation to the cowpea root system.…”

The witchweed Striga gesnerioides and the cultivated cowpea: A geographical and historical analysis of their West African distribution points to the prevalence of agro-ecological factors and the parasite’s multilocal evolution potential

“…gesnerioides . More severe yield losses (28 to 59%) have been reported for susceptible genotypes from an experiment in northern Ghana [ 33 ]. Severe infestations can even cause total crop failure [ 16 ].…”