Thirty-two wild species and varieties of Vigna of different origin were screened for their flavotioid content. The compounds detected were utilizcd to assess both interand intraspecific relationships. Flavonoid HPLC fingerprints support evidence for the existence of different flavonoid chemotypes. which may reflect differences in geographic origin. As far as interspecific relationships ;irc concerned, species belonging lo sections Vigna, Plectotropis, and Ceratotropis do not show flavonoid glycosides ...

The use of cowpea haulms as fodder is attractive in mixed crop/livestock systems where both grain and fodder can be obtained from the same crop. Traditional farming systems which use the haulms as fodder in Asia, Australia, Africa, and other regions are reviewed. ILRI and I1TA have undertaken joint research to identify accessions with improved grain and fodder yields. Trials were conducted in northern Nigeria to monitor yields in (1) cropping systems trials planted in the rainy season at Kano ...

Cowpea yields are known to be low in most parts of the tropics because of heavy insect pest problems. In Africa, cowpea growers do not generally use synthetic insecticides; however, in most parts of Asia, dependence on the use of insecticides is common, often with serious environmental consequences. Such misuse of insecticides on cowpen, coupled with low yields, has led to an intensive search for pest control options that will increase yields with l i t t l e or no input from insecticides, or ...

Cowpea is an important grain legume throughout the tropics and subtropics, covering Asia, Africa, and Central and South America, as well as parts of southern Europe and the United States of America. The use patterns, seed preferences, and cropping systems vary from region to region. Insect pests, diseases, nematodes, parasitic weeds, and drought are major production constraints. Early maturity is preferred everywhere so that cowpeas can be grown in the niches of cereal-based cropping systems, but ...

In the decade since the literature on the genetics of cowpea was last reviewed by Fery (1985). Researchers have published numerous cowpea genetics studies, especially on economically important traits. Both qualitative and quantitative procedures have been utilized to study these traits, and considerable effort made to increase our knowledge of cowpea cytogenetics, heterosis, and problems associated with crossing cowpea with other Vigiia species. Many inheritance studies have addressed flower traits ...

The population dynamics of major cowpea pests was studied in northern Nigeria during 1992-95 in both the wet and dry seasons. Rainfall cowpea is grown as a subsistence crop, mixed at low densities with cereals. Dry-season cowpea is irrigated or grown on residual moisture in monocultures as a cash crop. Light-trap monitoring and sampling of cowpea fields, throughout the wet and dry seasons, showed that Manica \iirata (previously M. testulalis) does not occur during the dry season in northern Nigeria, ...

The agricultural tractor has passed through a long evolution from the early steam-powered machines to the modern petrol and diesel engine tractors of today. The hydraulic system, power take off, and auxiliary modules have greatly extended the capabilities of tractors. Today, the reliability of tractors depends almost entirely upon proper maintenance. However, tractors are inherently dangerous and must be operated with care.

Since the First World Cowpea Conference was held in 1984, over 200 papers have been published on soilborne organisms parasitizing eowpea.V/o/za unguiculata (L.) Walp. More than a dozen nematode genera and numerous soilborne fungi including Rhizoctonia solanL cleroriitm rotfsii, Phytophthora spp., Macrophonrina phaseoliiw, Fusarhtm spp., and Pyihium spp.—have been implicated in root rot, seed rot, damping off. and basal stem canker of cowpea. Most of these papers have reported on the control of ...

Maize is of high important among the world's cereal crops. Maize can be used for human consumption, animal feed, and industrial purpose. Many traditional and industrial maize processing methods exist. Industrial processing includes wet and dry milling to produce a wide variety of products. Many maize dishes are prepared in Africa and elsewhere as human food.