Alectra vogelii (Benth) as influenced by botanicals (plant

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1 RESEARCH PAPER International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR) ISSN: (Print) (Online) Vol. 7, No. 6, p , 2015 OPEN ACCESS Reaction of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) varieties to Alectra vogelii (Benth) as influenced by botanicals (plant materials) in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria C.P. Department of Crop Production and Protection, Federal University Wukari, Nigeria Article published on December 20, 2015 Key words: Cowpea, Botanicals, Alectra, Striga. Abstract Trials were conducted on the Research farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru, Zaria in the Northern Guinea Savanna (NGS) Zone of Nigeria in 2010 and 2011 wet seasons to evaluate the reaction of Alectra vogelii to botanicals and the performance of cowpea varieties under Alectra vogelii Benth infestation. In all the trials, SAMPEA 6 exhibited tolerance by combining support for high emergence of Alectra with the production of high cowpea grain yield. Kanannado, a Local cowpea variety supported low parasitic weed infestation and produced comparable grain yield than the recommended cowpea variety SAMPEA-7. Treating planting holes with Azadiratha indica seed powder, Azadiratha indica leaf powder, Eucalyptus spp leaf powder, Anacadium occidentale L. leaf powder, Tamarindus indica L. leaf powder and Carica papaya L. leaf powder delayed Alectra emergence, reduced Alectra count and number of plants infested, reduced crop reaction score, took longer days to 50% flowering and gave higher cowpea seed yield. * Corresponding Author: C.P. chibiyasp@yahoo.com Page 20

2 Introduction Alectra vogelii (Benth.) is a hemi-parasitic plant of the family scrophulariaceae which derives its water, nutrients and some of its manufactured food from its host plants through root connection. It is a major constraint to the production of cowpea, groundnut and other leguminous crops in sub-saharan regions of Africa (Emechebe, et al., 1983;Lagoke, 1989). Its presence on the field can result into total crop failure (Emechebe et al., 1983;Lagoke, 1989). Both Alectra and Striga gesneroides (Wild) Vatke are often found infesting cowpea simultaneously in the northern Guinea and Sudan Savanna Zone of Nigeria (Emechebe et al., 1991). But this research is basically for Alectra vogelii (Benth.). Control methods used for the management of parasitic weeds include the use of trap crops, hand pulling, deep cultivation, the use of resistant varieties and herbicides (Emechebe et al., 1991; Magani, 1994). However, no trap crop has been identified to control both Alectra and Striga infestation, hand pulling is labour intensive and deep cultivation is too expensive for the resources poor African farmer. Resistant cultivars may not be readily acceptable to the farmers. In addition, recent research has indicated the possibility of virulent races of the parasites being evolved to counter the in-built resistance (Parker and Polniaszek, 1990). Herbicides are used in Africa though not widely used because of high cost and unavailability of the chemicals and application equipment. The use of botanicals may become a more affordable and cost-effective method for the control of these parasitic weeds, since the plant materials used are widely available and at no minimum cost. The method will not only eliminate the need of application equipment, but will also reduce the cost of production and increase yield. The objectives of this study is to evaluate the effect of botanicals (Plant materials) on Alectra vogelii and the performance of three cowpea varieties on an infested field at Samaru, Zaria Nigeria. Materials and methods Field experiments were conducted in the wet seasons of 2010 and 2011 on the farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru Zaria.Samaru is located in the Northern Guinea Savanna with annual rainfall of 1120mm. The field has a history of serious Alectra vogelii / Striga gesnerioides infestation (Sick Plot). The field was ploughed, harrowed and ridged before making the plots. The gross and net plot sizes were 9m 2 and 3m 2 respectivelythe treatment combinations include Azadiratha indica seed powder (AISP), Azadiratha indica leaf powder (AILP), Parkia biglobosa leaf powder (PBLP), Parkia biglobosa seed powder (PBSP), Encalyptus spp leave powder (ELP), Anacadium occidentale leaf powder (AOLP), Mangifera indica leaf powder (MILP), Tamarindus indica leaf powder (TILP), Carica papaya leaf powder (CPLP) and control. Three cowpea varieties viz. SAMPEA-7. SAMPEA-6 and KANANNADO were laid out in a split plot design with three replications. Varieties were assigned to the main plots, while botanical treatments were assigned to the sub-plots. Two seeds were planted per hole at 20cm intra row and 75cm inter row spacing. SSP was applied at 24kg P/ ha -1, one week after crop emergence. Benomyl as Benlate 50 WP at 0.6kg ha -1 was applied at 4 and 6 WAS. Perfection 40EC at 1.0kg ha -1 was applied forth-nightly at 8, 10, 12 WAS to control insect pests. A CP³ Knap sack sprayer was used to apply the fungicide and insecticides in 240L ha -1 spray volume. Data collected include number of days to Alectra emergence, Alectra shoot count and number of plants infected, crop injury, crop vigour (CV) and days to 50% flowering and seed yield. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) as described by Snedeco and Cochran (1967).Significant differences among treatment means were compared using Duncan s multiple range test (DMRT). Results Data on Alectra and Cowpea related parameters as influenced by botanicals are presented in tables 1 and 2. SAMPEA- 7 resulted in significantly shorter number of days to Alectra emergence supported higher Alectra shoot count and higher number of plants infected by Alectra in both years of study. While SAMPEA- 6 took longer days to Alectra Page 21

3 emergence, had comparable Alectra shoot count and number of plant infest and crop reaction score with Kanannado in both years. Azadiratha indica seed powder, Azadiratha indica leaf powder, Eucalyptus spp leaf powder, Tamarindus indica leaf powder and Carrica-papaya leaf powder delayed Alectra emergence, gave lower Alectra shoot count, least number of plants infected and lower crop injury score.table 2 shows the effect of botanicals on Cowpea Parameters. Table 1. Effect of botanicals on Cowpea varieties and Alectra vogelii parameters in the Northern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria in 2010 and 2011 wet seasons. Treatment No. of days to Alectra Alectra shoot No. of plant Crop Injury Reaction Score emergence count (9m) infected (9m) At 10 WAS At 10 WAS At 10 WAS At 10 WAS Cowpea Varieties SAMPEA- 7 49c 48c 41a 52a 26a 33a 3a 4.0a SAMPEA-6 65a 63a 38b 47b 12b 22b 1b 2.5b KANANNADO 50b 51b 38b 44b 11b 18b 1b 2.0b SE Botanicals AISP 67a 66a 18d 29c 2c 5c 1.00c 1.0c AILP 67A 66a 18d 28d 2c 5c 1.00c 1.0c PBPP 55c 56b 32b 43b 5b 9b 2.00b 2.50b PBSP 55c 55b 38b 48b 4b 9b 2.00b 2.50b ELP 65a 65a 21c 26c 2c 6c 1.00c 1.00c AOLP 60b 61a 22c 27c 2c 6c 1.00c 1.00c (MILP 52c 54b 37b 48b 4b 9b 2.00b 2.50b (TILP 66a 65a 24c 26c 2c 6c 2.00b 1.00 a CPLP 66a 66a 22c 26c 2c 6c 1.00c 1.00c Control 43d 43c 56a 51a 20a 31a 4.00a 4.0a SE Interaction V x B NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS= Not significant, Means followed by the same letter within the same treatment group and year are statistically the same. The result shows that botanicals had a significant effect on Crop vigour score, Days to 50% flowering and seed yield of cowpea. SAMPEA- 7 resulted in significantly lower CVS, shorter days to 50% flowering and lower Cowpea seed yield in both years of study. While SAMPEA- 6 resulted in more vigorous plants, longer days to 50% flowering and higher Cowpea seed yield. Azadiratha indica seed powder, Azadiratha indica leaf powder, Eucalyptus spp, Tamarindus indica and Carrica-papaya leaf, powder gave higher crop vigour score, lower, crop reaction score, longer days to 50% and higher cowpea seed yield than Parkia biglobosa palp, Parkia biglobosa seed powder, Mangifera indica leaf powder. Discussion In the two years of study SAMPEA- 7 took less number of days to 50% flowering which is a character resulting from the genetic makeup of the crop. The production of lower cowpea grain yield indicates that the variety is susceptible to Alectra. This finding collaborates with that of (Magani, 1994). SAMPEA 6 on the other hand took longer days to Alectra emergence, gave higher CVS, longer days to 50% flowering and gave higher seed yield. High seed yield corroborates earlier report by Magani (1994) and Lagoke (1996) that the variety is tolerant to Alectra infection thus have little effect on its yield. Page 22

4 Table 2. Effect of Botanicals on Cowpea varieties parameters in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria in 2010 and 2011 wet seasons. Crop Vigour Score Days to 50% Flowering of cowpea Cowpea Seed yield SAMPEA-7 6.5c 7.0c 44c 46c 1785c 1772b SAMPEA-6 8.5a 9.2a 63a 66a 2076a 1916a KANAN 7.0b 8.0b 50b 54b 1958b 1752c SE BOTANICALS AISP 9.0a 9.5a 49a 48a a AILP) 9.0a 9.5a 49a 48a 1969a 1869a PBPP 8.0b 8.3c 48b 46b 1596b 1599b ELP 8.0b 8.2c 48b 46b 1566b 1567b AOLP 9.0a 9.5a 49a 48a 1997a 1787a MILP 9.0a 9.3a 49a 48a 1950a 1799a TILP 8.0b 8.7b 48b 47b 1598b 1509b (CPLP 9.0a 9.2a 48b 48a 1556b 1820a Control 9.0a 9.5a 48b 48a 1556b 1836a SE+ 6.5c 5.5d 46c 46b 1380c 1285c Interaction V * B NS NS NS NS NS NS NS: Not significant, Means followed by the same letter within the same treatment group and year are statistically the same. The result of this investigation also revealed that treating the planting holes with Azadiratha indica seeds powder, Azadiratha indica leaf powder, Eucalyptus spp leaf powder, Anacadium occidentale leaf powder, Tamarindus indica leaf powder and Carica papaya leaf powder as shown in the treatment delayed Alectra emergence, reduced number of Alectra shoot and number of plants infested, reduced injury score, delayed flowering and gave higher cowpea seed yield. The results show that using botanicals for the control of Alectra in cowpea reduce negative impact on the crop. Greater yields can be obtained by the use of these promising materials. There is however the need to investigate the content of the materials and to determine the best way to measure them to avoid danger of rottening when seeds are planted. It is also important to try other means of seed treatment using these materials for the same purpose. These six materials have the capacity to depleting Alectra seed bank in the soil. References Emechebe AM, Leleji OI, Salako EA Control of Root Parasitic Weeds in Cowpea and Groundnut, A paper presented at Institute for Agricultural Research Symposium on Striga and its control. Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University Samaru, Zaria. Nigeria. 23 May Emechebe AM, Singh BB, Leleji OI, Atokple IDK, Adu JK Cowpea Striga Problems and Research in Nigeria, In: S. K Kim (ed) Combating Striga in Africa. I. I. T. A, Ibadan, Nigeria p. 28. Lagoke STO Striga in Nigeria, In: Robson, TO. and Broad, H. R. (eds) Striga improvement Management in Africa. Proceedings of the FAO/OAU. All African Govt. Consultation on Striga Control. Maroua Cameroon October Pp Page 23

5 Lagoke STO,Alahira CC,Alabi O, Singh BB Seed Treatment for the control of striga gesnerioides(wild) Vatke and Alectra vogelii Benth in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp). In: integrated Striga management technologies: from Research to farmers in sub- Saharan Africa. Proceedings Fourth General Workshop, Pan African Striga Control Network (PASCON). Ahmadu Bello University in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree of Ph.D. in Agronomy, 1994, 163 P. Parker C, Polniaszek TI Parasitism of cowpea by Striga gesnerioides (Wild) Vatke: Variation in virulence and discovery of a new source of host resistance. Ann. Appl. Biol. 116, Magani I Reaction of Cowpea varieties to Alectra vogelii (Benth). A thesis submitted to Snedeco GW, Cochran WG Statistical Methods 6 th Edition Iowa State,USA. Page 24