Role of chemical characteristics of the seed coat in the resistance of selected cowpea varieties to Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in Nigeria

The role of seed coat chemical factors in the resistance of the cowpea varieties, Kanannado, IT89KD-391 and Borno brown, to the cowpea seed bruchid Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), was investigated under laboratory conditions (30-35C and 65-67% RH) in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Significantly higher numbers of eggs were laid on de-coated than on intact Kanannado seeds whereas significantly smaller numbers of eggs were laid on de-coated than on intact IT89KD-391 or Borno brown seeds. Susceptibility was higher in de-coated than in intact Kanannado seeds (susceptibility indices [SI] 3.4 and 0.0, respectively). Egg-hatch was significantly reduced in seeds with intact seed coats by 88.6%, while the proportion of eggs that failed to hatch in de-coated seeds was 31.9%. Treatment of Borno brown seeds especially with 32 and 64 mg of extracts from Kanannado and IT89KD-391 seed coats, reduced oviposition by 61.9% and 95.2%, respectively. Treatment with 32 mg of the seed coat extracts reduced egg-hatch by 49.2%. Identical dosages (32 and 64 mg) of these seed coat extracts also significantly reduced susceptibility ofBorno brown to C. maculatus (SI values 6.7 and 1.5, respectively). Comparable SI values for Borno brown treated with 16 mg of the seed coat extracts or extract-free acetone were 14.9 and 14.0, respectively.

Keywords:

• Chemical Characteristics
• Seed Coat
• Resistance
• Cowpea
• Bruchid