Reaction of cowpea varieties to meloidogyne incognita infestation in Ghana

Ten cowpea varieties were preliminarily evaluated for their reaction to M. incognita under screen house condition in a Randomised Complete Block design with three replications. Three week old seedlings were inoculated with 350 and 700 second stage juveniles and set on concrete benches. Based on the reproduction factor and root gall index, Asontem and Asetenapa were considered to be resistant. Tona, Nhyira, Padituya, Hewale, Asomdwe and IT89KD-347-57 were considered susceptible whilst Adom and Videza were found to be tolerant. At the highest inocula level of 700J2/pot, Videza recorded an average yield of 6.4g which was significantly different from 2.3g as recorded for Hewale. The highest pod number of 8.0 was significantly different from 3.7 recorded for Videza and Asontem, considered to be tolerant and resistant at the highest inocula level respectively. Adom and Asetenapa recorded the highest and lowest plant height of 74.7cm and 19.3cm respectively at 700J2/pot. With the exception of Hewale, all the susceptible varieties recorded low yields at higher level of inoculation compared to the lower level. Based on the results of the study, Asontem and Asetenapa were identified as resistant to M. incognita.