Integrated Management of Major Field Pests of Cowpea In Eastern Uganda

African Crop Science Journal, Vol. 7. No. 4, pp. 479-486, 1999 Integrated Management of Major Field Pests of Cowpea In Eastern Uganda Code Number: CS99038 ABSTRACT: This study, which was done on-farm and in phases, aimed at developing a farmer and environmentally friendly management package against major cowpea pests. The pests considered were Aphis craccivora, Megalurothrips sjostedti, Maruca vitrata and pod sucking bugs. One trial examined the potential of intercropping in the management of the major field pests of cowpea. Another trial studied the effect of seed dressing and host resistance on cowpea field pest infestation. The best treatments from these two trials were combined (integrated pest management) and tested together with a minimum foliar insecticide application. Intercropping cowpea and sorghum combined with carbofuran "seed dressing" and minimal insecticide spray application (spraying once at budding, flowering and at podding) increased grain yields (ca 1350 kg ha-1) markedly compared to the unsprayed plots (ca 200 kg ha-1), those receiving foliar insecticide spray (ca 1000 kg ha-1) or carbofuran seed dressing only (ca 400 kg ha-1). KEYWORDS: Grain yield, insecticide sprays, intercropping, seed dressing, Vigna unguiculata Copyright 1999, African Crop Science Societ