Cowpea potential, production constraints and utilization in South Africa Maletsema Alina Mofokeng

Title : Cowpea potential, production constraints and utilization in South Africa Maletsema Alina Mofokeng

Abstract:

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is one of the most important pulses grown in South Africa. It grows in environments considered marginal for other crops. Its nutritional value and ability to withstand drought makes it an important crop for food and nutritional security in the sub-Saharan Africa. The objectives of the study were to evaluate cowpea genotypes for high yield potential under drought conditions and identify farmer’s production constraints and variety preference. The experiments for yield potential were conducted over three seasons in cowpea production areas of South Africa. A survey on farmer’s variety preference and production constraints was conducted using semi-structured interviews and questionnaires in four and five local municipalities of Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, respectively. In each municipality, target villages were selected randomly. The yield data were analysed using analysis of variance and treatment means were separated by Least Significant Difference test in GenStat 17th version. Data on production constraints were analysed using cross tabulations in SPSS statistical software. The top twenty highest yielding cowpea lines were selected and tested in Potchefstroom, Taung and Casteel villages in 2014/15 season. The best five cowpea lines identified were 99K-494-6, 98K-476-6, ITOOK-1263, CH47 and Bechuana White. Data across locations showed ITOOK 1263 as the best for both grain and fodder yield. ITOOK 1263 can be recommended for farmers in cowpea production areas of South Africa for food and fodder. The major production constraints were insect pests and animals. The famers also indicated that they prefer brown and cream cowpea cultivars with good yielding ability for both grain and leaves as well as resistance to insect pests. They also like to consume both fresh and dry grain and need canned cowpea. Cowpea can serve as the best pulse in farmer’s fields for eradication of hunger and malnutrition in developing and under developed countries.

Keywords: Cowpea, production constraints, survey, yield potential, South Africa

Biography:

Alina Mofokeng (Ph.D.) is a researcher at the Agricultural Research Council-Grain Crops in Potchefstroom, South Africa working on cowpea and soybean breeding and germplasm conservation. She has a PhD in Plant Breeding with her research on diversity analysis of sorghum using agronomic, SSR, and protein content and amino acid composition. Her MSc degree was on Plant Protection with her thesis entitled Host status of Cucumis myriocarpus to Meloidogyne incognita and her major subject was Plant Production during her BSc degree study. She was a Post-Doc at the Agricultural Research Council-Grain Crops breeding sorghum for improved yield and perenniality.